India-US 2-plus-2 Dialogue tomorrow; defence cooperation in top focus

US Secretary of State Michael R Pompeo and Defence Secretary James N Mattis will be in India to hold talks with External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj and Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman.

Both sides will mention the burgeoning defence cooperation, and the US’s recent STA-1 classification which eases defence and high technology trade between the two countries.

As the leaders will discuss bilateral issues counter-terrorism, immigration issues and defence cooperation is expected to be high on agenda.

Sushma Swaraj will have a separate bilateral meeting with Mike Pompeo while Nirmala Sitharaman will have a one-on-one meeting with James Mattis on Thursday morning before the delegation-level two-plus-two talks.

Pompeo and Mattis will also call on Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the visit.