Two Plus Two Talks / Jaishankar meets US trade representative, India-US will stick to the commitment of cooperation

India and the US reiterated their commitments to an open and open Indo-Pacific region during ministerial-level two-plus-two talks and reaffirmed their continued cooperation in this direction. The two countries have issued a joint statement after the fourth two-plus-two talks held in Washington.

Meanwhile, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Tuesday met US Trade Representative Ambassador Catherine Tye and discussed issues related to India-US bilateral trade and exchanged views on the global situation. He tweeted that it was a pleasure to meet USTR Ambassador Tye. We discussed bilateral trade and exchanged views on the global situation.

Earlier in the talks, the Indian delegation was led by Defense Minister Rajnath Singh and External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, while the US side was led by External Affairs Minister Anthony Blinken and Defense Minister Lloyd Austin. Apart from the Indo-Pacific region, it was also agreed to increase cooperation between the two countries in defence, space, technology, artificial intelligence and other areas. Also welcomed the initiatives to further strengthen the Quad in these areas. In the joint statement, the ministers referred to the virtual Quad meeting held in March last year, the Quad leaders meeting in Washington in September 2021 and the meeting between the foreign ministers of the Quad countries in Melbourne in February this year. Both countries said that they are preparing for the next Quad members meeting to be held in Tokyo this year. In the statement, the ministers reiterated their commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific region. The sovereignty and territorial integrity of all countries in the region will be respected. This region will be free from any country's military, economic and political pressure.

Will work together for regional stability and prosperity

India and the US reiterated that they will work together to promote regional stability and prosperity. It will take into account the inclusive regional framework, strict enforcement of law, freedom of movement, peaceful resolution of disputes and ASEAN resolutions. Both countries said that the entire region, including the South China Sea, should follow international law so that the challenges of a rules-based order can be met. Both countries welcomed the progress made in developing the Quad's positive and constructive agenda over the past year for peace and prosperity in the region.

Will further strengthen mutual cooperation in the defense sector

The ministers of India and America decided in the talks that mutual cooperation in the defense sector would be further strengthened. India and the US reaffirmed their ambitions to build an advanced and comprehensive defense partnership. In this, the armies of both the countries will coordinate together in all areas. Defense Minister Rajnath Singh said, this will help maintain the momentum of India-US relations and take our work forward. Our two great nations have mutual interests and a common desire to achieve mutual goals.

Next phase of Defense Cyber ​​Dialogue this year

The Ministers of the two countries welcomed the second Defense Cyber ​​Dialogue held in 2021 and confirmed the holding of the next round this year. They also decided to launch an Artificial Intelligence (AI) dialogue this year to tap opportunities for joint innovation and collaboration in new domains. The ministers also discussed opportunities for additional training for their respective armies. The US, on the other hand, welcomed Indian participation in advanced courses in these emerging areas.

India got America's support

As soon as the new Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif took over in Pakistan, India and the US bluntly asked Pakistan to bring the culprits of 26/11 Mumbai and Pathankot attacks to justice. Pakistan was also asked to ensure that its territory is not used for terrorist activities. For this, it should take immediate, sustained and irreversible action against terrorism.

External Affairs Minister S. Pakistan was demanded to take this step in a joint statement after two plus two ministerial talks between Jaishankar, Defense Minister Rajnath Singh and US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Defense Minister Lloyd Austin. Ministers of the two countries held the first two-plus-two ministerial talks on Monday after Joe Biden took over as US President. This joint statement of both the countries came a day after Shahbaz Sharif became the Prime Minister of Pakistan.

According to the statement, the ministers expressed their commitment to the imposition of sanctions against terrorist organizations and their affiliates, to combat violent extremism, to designate terrorists, to use the Internet for terrorist acts and to continue the exchange of information on cross-border terrorism. Of.

Emphasis on curbing terrorist funding as per FATF

The ministers also stressed the importance of maintaining international standards to combat money laundering and the financing of terrorism from all countries, in line with the recommendations of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF), the statement said. India and the US strongly condemned the use of all forms of terrorism and cross-border terrorism. Pakistan has been on the FATF gray list continuously since 2018. It has so far failed to crack down on terrorist funding and money laundering.