India-US relation moving forward with 2+2 meet scheduled for December 2021

India-US relationship is witnessing a development and is coming to a new point as annual 2 + 2 ministerial dialogue is going to take place between both the countries in December, that is supposed to revolve around bilateral ties in strategic, security domains and defense. According to the sources, India’s External Affairs Minister and Defense Minister are scheduled to visit Washington for the meeting. There have been number of rounds earlier in September 2018, December 2019 and October 2020. Although, date has not been finalized yet, but both the countries are looking forward to this 4^th round of meeting in US.

Besides focusing on improving India-US relations, the discussion will also concentrate on present situation in Afghanistan and policy talks to curb China’s expansionist policy. According to experts, it is being considered as an important one, because it is happening right after US visit of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, where he met American President Joseph Robinette Biden Jr. A collective strategy will also be formed on how both the countries will take forward the Quad alliance together. India is planning to put details about how Afghanistan territory can be used for conducting terrorist activities in coming days, before US in hope to get support. Countries in Quad summit can play a significant role in maintaining stability around Indo Pacific Region, according to India and US.  

After the win of Joe Biden’s administration, India-US relation was discussed and was visioned ‘instable’ for future as Biden and Kamala Harris were vocal about Kashmir. But recently, an initiative started by India called Solar Alliance in COP26, is joined by US. Started by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2015 during climate summit, has now added US as a new member along with 101 countries. COP26 held in November in Glasgow, was attended by several countries, where US announced its will to be added in One Sun One World One Grid, that aims to connect number of countries through a common grid.  

Mrs. Veena, professor by profession is also a political expert and has participated in various panel discussions. According to her, India-US relation can have a better understanding after this annual dialogue. She said, ‘India-US relation has seen ups and downs in past, but one thing that is common in this tie is about standing up and being righteous. Both the countries have always supported each other in taking action against terrorist activities, conduct talks regarding present issues and has always preferred option of communication, which is a significant key to have stability and clarity.’ She further added, the dialogue will prove that both the administrations two strong nations can be one page coming with a positive outcome for everybody in the world.

During Indian Prime Minister’s meeting with US Congressional Delegation in past, a release by Indian PMO stated, ‘Prime Minister appreciated the consistent support and constructive role of the US Congress in deepening the India-US comprehensive global strategic partnership which is anchored in shared democratic values.” It was explained as, warm and frank discussion on regional issues along issues related to Indo-Pacific and South Asia. On asking, what we could expect from the outcome of the meeting, Mrs. Veena told Eat News, ‘Definitely, there are going to be talks on Afghan’s situation, defense and security strategy. This is also expected, that dialogue will revolve around strategic policies to stop China in tampering stability and causing turbulence in Indo-Pacific regions. Also, both the countries can discuss Quad alliance on how it can be taken forward and can be valuable for all the countries involved.’

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has a quite whopping fan following in US. With almost population of four million, Indian Americans contribute 1.2% of the country’s population. ‘Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is very famous and is most followed world leader and Asian on twitter with more than 72 million followers as of October 2021. Indians living abroad celebrate him and that is undeniable. World leaders face criticism as well as enjoys popularity and love. It is because of their profession, as their actions display publicly and affects citizens directly’, as per Mrs. Veena.

But one action cannot be proven constructive for everyone. There are some countries that can look this dialogue as a threat. In Mrs. Veena’s opinion, ‘Yes, the dialogue can come out as a threat to some countries. Because the bilateral ties are about security domains that is considered as one of a targeted zone of nations. And in reference to India, China and Pakistan are a trouble making nations in regrading infiltrating the borders. Getting support from US will help India in future in various terms.’

Joe Biden’s administration agenda clearly focused on working in the Indo-Pacific with India so that no country is able to menace its neighboring countries and will have ‘zero tolerance’ for borderline terrorism in South Asia, in one of his campaign before he won elections this year.