Indian Foreign Secretary Vinay Mohan Kwatra has said that they have shared their perspective “very clearly" with the US in the 2+2 Ministerial Dialogue held in New Delhi on Friday.
"We did discuss very extensively regional issues and so far as Bangladesh is concerned, we shared our perspective very clearly in the dialogue," he told a post-dialogue press briefing while replying to a question.
Indian Defence Secretary Aramane Giridha and MEA Spokesperson Arindam Bagchi, among others, were present at the briefing.
"It is not our (India) space to comment on the policy of a third country...the election in Bangladesh is their internal matter and it is for the people of Bangladesh to decide their future," Kwatra said when asked whether recent political developments and election issues in Bangladesh were discussed in the dialogue.
"We as close friends and partners of Bangladesh, we respect the democratic process in Bangladesh and will continue to support the country's vision of a stable, peaceful and progressive nation,” Kwatra added.
The two sides in the fifth edition of the India-US 2+2 dialogue comprehensively reviewed bilateral ties, multilateral and regional issues, trade and investment partnership, value supply chain securitization, common challenges India and the US are facing, and how to harness opportunities.
Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin led the US side, while External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh led the Indian side.
Multilateral diplomacy and connectivity
According to the joint statement, the ministers reaffirmed the importance of a free, open, inclusive, and resilient Indo-Pacific and renewed their shared desire to consolidate their dialogue and collaboration through the Quad.
They emphasized the important role of the Quad as a force for global good for the peoples of the Indo-Pacific. The Ministers look forward to India hosting the next in-person Quad Leaders’ Summit in 2024.
The ministers affirmed the importance of exchanging perspectives on shared global challenges, such as cooperation in multilateral fora and promoting respect for human rights globally, and look forward to the Ministry of External Affairs and the US Department of State holding the next US-India Global Issues Forum in New Delhi in early 2024.
The ministers appreciated the ongoing efforts of the I2U2 countries to enhance food and energy security and improve the movement of people and goods across the hemispheres.
They also noted that the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor will enhance connectivity between Asia and Europe and will unlock new potential for economic growth in the two continents.
Furthermore, they welcomed the relaunch of consultations between the Indian Ministry of External Affairs and the US Department of State on Africa, aimed at exploring potential trilateral cooperation in Africa.
They also looked forward to convening the next round of East Asia Consultations between the Indian Ministry of External Affairs and the US Department of State at an early date.
Secretary Blinken and Secretary Austin lauded India’s G20 Presidency for addressing contemporary global economic issues, the inclusion of the African Union as a member, and prioritizing development challenges.
The ministers welcomed India hosting a virtual G20 Summit in November 2023 to follow up on G20 Summit outcomes.
The United States reaffirmed its continued support for India’s permanent membership in a reformed UNSC and again extended welcome to India’s candidature for the UNSC non-permanent seat in 2028-29.
The US is also looking forward to hosting the next 2+2 Ministerial, read the statement.