Amid Global Tensions, US Secretaries Of State And Defence To Visit India For 2+2 Ministerial Dialogue

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin are scheduled to visit India for the 2+2 Ministerial Dialogue.

The Ministerial Dialogue is an important diplomatic engagement, where they will meet their Indian counterparts, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh.

The visit is part of a broader itinerary that includes stops in Israel, Jordan, Japan, South Korea, and India, as announced by the US State Department.

The visit to India, set to take place later this month, will involve discussions on a range of bilateral and global matters, particularly in the Indo-Pacific region, as per reports by NDTV.

This includes strengthening cooperation, addressing regional concerns, and advancing the vision of a free and open Indo-Pacific. The exact dates of their travel to each country have yet to be revealed.

During the visit to Israel, Secretary Blinken is expected to reiterate US support for Israel's right to defend itself in accordance with international humanitarian law.

He will also engage in discussions related to efforts to secure the release of hostages, humanitarian assistance to Gaza, and preventing the spread of conflict.

In Jordan, Blinken will emphasise the protection of civilian lives and the importance of providing humanitarian aid to civilians in Gaza.

The discussions will also focus on efforts to reduce regional tensions and work towards a durable and sustainable peace in the Middle East, including the establishment of a Palestinian state.

Discussions in Japan will encompass bilateral priorities, support for Ukraine's economic recovery, energy needs, and strengthening cooperation in the Indo-Pacific.

Following Tokyo, Blinken will travel to Seoul to meet with South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol, Foreign Minister Park Jin, and National Security Advisor Cho Tae-yong.

These discussions will cover a wide range of global challenges, including Russia's actions in Ukraine and its military cooperation with North Korea.

The visit to India and the broader diplomatic engagements in the region underscore the United States' commitment to fostering collaboration and addressing critical issues in the Indo-Pacific, while supporting the aspirations of a free and open Indo-Pacific region.