India, US to hold inaugural 2+2 dialogue

Washington: India and the United States will hold an inaugural 2+2 dialogue on July 6 in Washington D.C. to discuss bilateral defense and security cooperation.

As per a release by the United States Department of State, US Secretary of State Michael R. Pompeo and Secretary of Defense James Mattis will host Indian External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj and Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman for the dialogue.

The meeting will focus on strengthening strategic, security, and defence cooperation with respect to the evolving global challenges.

Earlier in February, the inaugural 2+2 dialogue was announced to be held between Swaraj, Sitharaman, and United States Secretary James Mattis and former US secretary Rex Tillerson.

However, Tillerson was removed from his position in March following a disagreement with United States President Donald Trump and was replaced by Pompeo.

(ANI)