US Secretary of Defence Lloyd Austin and Secretary of State Antony Blinken will co-chair the fifth Ministerial 2+2 Dialogue with their counterparts- Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Minister of External Affairs S Jaishankar- on Friday (November 10, 2023).
“It will be followed by a bilateral meeting between Secretary Austin and Raksha Mantri. A number of strategic, defence and technology issues are expected to be discussed during the 2+2 dialogue and the bilateral meeting,” read a statement issued by the Ministry of Defence.
Secretary Austin last visited India in June 2023.
During his visit, he met Singh.
Meanwhile, Blinken arrived in India earlier.
Sharing glimpses of his arrival in India, MEA spokesperson Arindam Bagchi wrote on X, “A warm welcome to US Secretary of State @SecBlinken as he arrives in New Delhi to co-chair the 5th – 2+2 Ministerial Dialogue.”
He said: “The visit will give further boost to – Comprehensive Global Strategic Partnership!”