The 3rd 2 + 2 Ministerial level meeting between India and US took place at Hyderabad House in New Delhi. Several important agreements were signed between the two countries, including the Basic Exchange and Cooperation Agreement (BECA). Apart from this, there was an agreement between the two countries on increasing nuclear cooperation. In the two plus two meetings, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and Defense Minister Mark Espar, their Indian counterparts S. Interacted with Jaishankar and Rajnath Singh on important issues.
Jeevesh Nandan, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Defense signed the BECA agreement on behalf of India. This agreement will facilitate the way for India to get technology related to American cruise missiles and ballistic missiles. At the same time, India will also be able to take sensitive satellite data from America, so that every activity of enemy countries will be closely monitored.
After the meeting, India and the US resolved to increase their cooperation by issuing a joint statement. US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said that the US and India are taking steps to strengthen cooperation against all kinds of threats, including the Chinese Communist Party. In the last year, we have expanded our cooperation on cyber issues, our navies have helped in joint exercises in the Indian Ocean.
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At the same time, Rajnath Singh said that we are happy that we have completed the BECA (Basic Exchange and Cooperation Agreement), which will open new avenues in information sharing. He said that our economies have suffered. We are trying to revive industries and service sectors. Our partnership becomes more important in view of the current challenges. We both believe in rules-based order and democracy.
Foreign Minister S Jaishankar said that at a time when maintaining a rules-based international system is particularly important, India and the US have the ability to work closely in defence and foreign policy. Talking about regional and global challenges, we can make a real difference. US Secretary of Defense Mark Asper said, ‘We have particularly strengthened our defence and security partnership over the past year. Our cooperation meets the challenges of the principles of an independent and open Indo-Pacific region.
