Jaishankar gives beffitting reply to Blinken over Russia import; Key highlights of 2+2 dialogue
During the high-level meeting, the leaders of both countries held a discussion on several issues, including the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war, the Afghanistan and Pakistan situations, challenges in the Indo Pacific region, and a range of key bilateral issues. Both sides reiterated their commitment to upholding a free, rules-based international order that safeguards sovereignty, territorial integrity, and independence.
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Washington DC, April 12: At a time when the relationship between India and the US is standing at a very critical junction, the fourth 2+2 dialogue between India and US took place last night in Washington DC. As part of the 2+2 meeting, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh held a talk with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Secretary of Defence Lloyd Austin in Washington, DC.
This was the first 2+2 dialogue between the two countries since Joe Biden assumed office as US president and since the Ukraine crisis. The meeting comes at a time when the US is continuously trying to pressurise New Delhi to take a stand against Russia over its invasion of Ukraine. However, not coming under the pressure of the US, India has decided to follow its foreign policy by staying neutral in the Ukraine crisis.
During the high-level meeting, the leaders of both countries held a discussion on several issues, including the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war, the Afghanistan and Pakistan situations, challenges in the Indo Pacific region, and a range of key bilateral issues. Both sides reiterated their commitment to upholding a free, rules-based international order that safeguards sovereignty, territorial integrity, and independence.
Here are the key topics of the 2+2 meeting :-
Ukraine Crisis
Talking about Russia, the Secretary of State said that Russia's war against Ukraine is an "attack on Ukraine's people, attack on rules-based order we both adhere to and defend"."The US will continue to increase support to government and people of Ukraine and call on other nations to do the same, just as we call on to condemn Moscow's brutal actions," he said.
Stating that a large part of his meeting with Blinken was on the Ukraine war and its ramifications, Jaishankar pointed out that most countries are worried about energy, food security, commodity prices, and logistics disruption. He reiterated India's call for an urgent cessation of violence.
Russia Oil Import
During the meeting when, Biden's admin again tried to manipulate India and said, India should not buy additional Russian oil. In response, Minister Of External Affairs Dr. S Jaishankar gave a befitting reply to Blinken saying India's total purchase for the month would be less than what Europe buys in an afternoon.
He said, "If you are looking at energy purchases from Russia, I would suggest that your attention should be focused on Europe, which probably - we do buy some energy which is necessary for our energy security, but I suspect looking at the figures, probably our total purchases for the month would be less than what Europe does in an afternoon."
Indo-Pacific region
Talking about the Indo-pacific region, US Secretary of Defence, Austin terms India-US ties cornerstone of Indo-Pacific security as China seeks to 'refashion' region.
Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific in which the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all states are respected, and countries are free from military, economic, and political coercion. They further reaffirmed their dedication to promoting regional stability and prosperity, with an inclusive regional architecture, abiding by the rule of law, the freedom of navigation and overflight, peaceful resolution of disputes, and ASEAN centrality. They also reiterated the importance of adherence to international law to meet challenges to the rules-based order, including in the South China Sea.
Pakistan
India and US have asked Pakistan to take immediate sustained and irreversible action to ensure that no territory under its control is used for terrorist attacks and called for the perpetrators of the 26/11 Mumbai attack and Pathankot attack to be brought to justice. "The Ministers called on Pakistan to take an immediate, sustained, and irreversible action to ensure that no territory under its control is used for terrorist attacks," said the joint statement.
Make in India
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh urged American companies to come and invest in India and support the 'Make in India' program. "I have insisted that India would focus on co-developmental productions and all the investors should come to India. They are welcome. And because in India they can develop the 'Make in India' because we want to build and make everything in India."