India-US hold joint military cooperation meet ahead of 2+2 dialogue; no decision on Donald Trump's India visit yet

A two-day India-US Military Cooperation Meeting began on Wednesday as a prelude to 2 plus 2 Dialogue between the two countries scheduled in September. The meeting was co-chaired by Lt General Satish Dua, Chief of Integrated Defence Staff to the chairman, Chiefs of Staff Committee (CISC) and Lt General Bryan Fenton, Deputy Commander, Indo-Pacific Command.

External Minister Sushma Swaraj and Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman would meet their US counterparts in 2 plus 2 meeting in September, a first such initiative between the two countries that will focus on strengthening defence and strategic ties. India and the US were also working to have a joint drill of all the three armed forces of the two countries.

Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump has received an invitation to visit India, but no decision has been taken yet, the White House said on Wednesday. “I know that the invitation has been extended, but I do not believe that a final decision has been made,” the White House Press Secretary Sarah Sanders told reporters when asked about reports that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has invited Trump to be the Chief Guest at the next year’s Republic Day celebrations in New Delhi.

She said US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and Defense Secretary James Mattis would be headed to New Delhi soon for the first India-US 2+2 Dialogue with their Indian counterparts External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj and Defense Minister Nirmala Sitharaman. “The 2+2 dialogue would begin discussion on the process of a presidential visit next year,” Sanders said at daily press conference.

The United States and India have a deep and strategic partnership and “we are going to continue to build on that partnership” and advance co-operation. “I think, you will see that in the meeting that would take place in September,” Sanders said.

With inputs from PTI