Mark Esper

India-US 2+2 talks: China's protest letter betrays nervousness, and chutzpah in pushing Beijing’s half-truths

Apart from betraying its geostrategic concern over the trajectory of India-US ties, the Chinese embassy letter is a litany of half-truths, outright lies and a curious effort at misfiring propaganda.

India, US ink BECA defence pact to facilitate sharing of high-end military technology, satellite data

The third edition of the 2+2 dialogue between the two countries comes in the backdrop of India's tense border standoff with China in eastern Ladakh

Third India-US 2+2 dialogue: Bilateral ties must focus on maximising convergences on strategic interests

The focus on convergences and its institutionalisation through dedicated frameworks alleviates the pressures on the two sides to urgently contemplate formalisation of ties.

India-US 2+2 dialogue: Mike Pompeo and Mark Esper to reach New Delhi today

Anurag Srivastava said the talks will entail a comprehensive discussion on cross-cutting bilateral issues as well as deliberations on regional and global development

Quad countries working towards strengthening 'rule-based' order in Indo-Pacific region, says US

The Trump administration, ahead of the 2+2 dialogue with India next week, said that the Quad grouping is an "example of effective multilateralism at its best"

India to host third edition of two-plus-two talks with US on 27 October, says MEA

Secretary of State Michael Pompeo and defence secretary Mark T Esper will represent the US while the Indian side will be represented by external affairs minister S Jaishankar and defence minister Rajnath Singh

India, US to sign geospatial pact BECA during 2+2 dialogue to deepen military cooperation

The last of four military communication foundational agreements, BECA will be signed with the US to further tighten the strategic clinch between the two countries during the 2+2 dialogue held on 26 and 27 October

Pentagon claims US launched airstrikes targeting Iran-backed Shia group in Iraq base; defence dept says 5 weapon storage facilities hit

The US launched airstrikes Thursday in Iraq, targeting the Iranian-backed Shia militia members believed responsible for the rocket attack that killed and wounded American and British troops at a base north of Baghdad, the Pentagon said

America's peace deal with Taliban conditions-based agreement, first step towards political solution to end war, says US Defence Secretary Mark Esper

Mark Esper reiterated that this is an important first step towards a political solution to end the war in Afghanistan

US, Taliban will sign peace deal today ending 19-yr-long Afghanistan war; Mike Pompeo to be present during signing of agreement

The agreement mapping out a plan for peace follows months of negotiations between the US and the Taliban that have broken down before. The Pentagon has said for months that it is poised to reduce the number of US troops in Afghanistan to 8,600.