SYLLABUS

GS-2: Bilateral, regional and global groupings and agreements involving India and/or affecting India’s interests.

Context: Recently, India and the US concluded a Virtual 2+2 Intersessional Dialogue, amid tariff tensions.

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• On 25 August 2025, the Ministry of External Affairs and the Ministry of Defence co-chaired the virtual India-US 2+2 Intersessional Dialogue alongside the US Senior Bureau Official for the Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs and the Acting Assistant Secretary of Defence for Indo-Pacific Security Affairs.
• This intersessional meeting serves as a mid-cycle review of the broader 2+2 Ministerial Dialogue, which involves the foreign and defence ministers of both countries.

Key outcomes of the Dialogue

• Officials advanced bilateral initiatives, reviewed regional security, and shared perspectives on key priorities.
• Discussions covered trade, investment, energy security including civil-nuclear cooperation, critical minerals, and counter-narcotics/terrorism cooperation.
• Both sides agreed to boost defence ties through a new 10-year Framework for the India–US Major Defence Partnership, focusing on defence technology, industry, operations, regional cooperation, and information-sharing.
• Participants agreed to build upon the progress made in these areas under the auspices of the India-US COMPACT (Catalysing Opportunities for Military Partnership, Accelerated Commerce & Technology) for the 21st Century and beyond.
• The chairs reaffirmed their commitment to promoting a safer, stronger, and more prosperous Indo-Pacific region through the Quad.
  India is set to host the Quad Leaders’ Summit this year, with participation from the  Japan and Australia, besides US.

About 2+2 dialogue 

• A 2+2 ministerial dialogue is a high level diplomatic meeting where the foreign and defense ministers of two strategic partner countries meet to discuss and advance their shared security and strategic interests.
• It enables the partners to better understand and appreciate each other’s strategic concerns and sensitivities, taking into account political factors on both sides.
• India currently has 2+2 dialogues with some key strategic partners such as the US, Australia, Japan, Russia, UK and Brazil.

Significance of the 2+2 dialogue 

• Strategic Alignment: Provides a high-level platform for foreign and defence ministers to align policies on security, defence, and regional stability, enhancing strategic convergence.
• Deepening Defence Cooperation: Facilitates conclusion of key defence agreements (e.g., LEMOA, COMCASA, BECA) and operational coordination between armed forces, boosting military interoperability.
• Partners in the Indo-Pacific and Beyond: It reinforces joint commitment to a free, open, and rules-based Indo-Pacific amid rising challenges, particularly from an assertive China.
• Integrated Partnership: It enables partners to address political, economic, and security concerns together, fostering a stronger, more comprehensive bilateral and multilateral strategic relationship.

Source

Times Of India
Indian Express
MEA
State