India, US Set To Hold Third 2+2 Meeting This Month; Likely To Sign The Fourth Military Communication Pact 'BECA'

India and the United States (US) are set to hold the third 2+2 dialogue on 26-27 October with major agreements on the table as the two nations tread on a path of a stronger defence partnership, reports Hindustan Times.

The two governments are likely to sign the Basic Exchange and Cooperation Agreement (BECA) for geo-spatial cooperation, which would mark the last of four military communication foundational agreements, three of which the two nations have already signed in the recent years.

This gains significance, as BECA is the precursor to India's likely acquisition of armed drones like MQ-9B from the US, given the said drone uses spatial data for carrying out precision strikes on enemy targets. BECA will also allow India to use global geospatial maps of the US for increased accuracy of defence platforms like cruise and ballistic missiles.

Ahead of the 2+2 dialogue, External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishaknar will also be meeting with US' Secretary of State Mike Pompeo at the Quad security dialogue which is set to be held in Tokyo on 6 October.

At the 2+2 dialogue, Jaishankar and Pompeo will be joined by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and US Secretary of Defence Mark Esper.

It should also be noted that the Indo-US 2+2 dialogue will coincide with the Chinese Communist Party (CCP)'s plenary meet on which is to be held from 26-29 October.