April 11, 2022
2 mins read

US, India to ink space deals during 2+2 summit

The Space Situational Awareness Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aims to protect the satellites of the two countries…reports Asian Lite News

A pact to share information on space activities is to be signed by the US and India during the 2+2 meeting of their diplomatic and defence leaders in Washington on Monday, according to the State Department.

The Space Situational Awareness Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aims to protect the satellites of the two countries.

External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh will be meeting with Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin for the Fourth 2+2 Ministerial Dialogue that will finally take place after being postponed in December 2021.

It will kick off ceremoniously on Monday at 9 a.m. (6.30 p.m. IST) with an honour cordon to welcome Rajnath Singh to the Pentagon for a meeting with Austin.

At the same time over at the State Department, Blinken will meet Jaishankar, according to the schedule for the 2+2 circulated by the US.

The 2+2 meeting takes place under the cloud of Russia’s ongoing invasion of Ukraine and the divergent approach to it by India and the US.

But before the meeting, President Joe Biden will hold a virtual summit with Prime Minister Narendra Modi at which the Russian invasion of Ukraine will figure, according to the White House.

At a briefing, White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki said: “President Biden will continue our close consultations on the consequences of Russia’s brutal war against Ukraine and mitigating its destabilizing impact on global food supply and commodity markets.”

India has tried to stay neutral on the Russian invasion given its dependence on Moscow for vital defence supplies and abstained on eight Ukraine-related votes at the UN.

The US, which is leading the global response to the invasion prefers India to take a stronger stand against Russia.

But the 2+2 will focus on cooperation in the Indo-Pacific region, where the two countries are strategically more aligned.

The formal 2+2 meeting of the ministers and the secretaries will be held at the State Department with the opening press statements that will be live-streamed on www.state.gov at 2 p.m. on Monday (11.30 p.m. IST).

It will be followed by the signing of the Space Situational Awareness MOU.

The four are scheduled to hold a news conference at 4.45 p.m. (2.15 a.m. Tuesday IST), which is also to be live-streamed.

Concluding the 2+2 meeting, Blinken will hold a working dinner for the other 2+2 leaders at 6 p.m. (3.30 a.m. Tuesday IST).

The 2+2 meetings held since 2018 alternate between the two capitals and its fourth edition, which was to have been held in December, was postponed because of the visit of Russian President Vladimir to New Delhi that month.

This year’s event will celebrate 75 years of diplomatic relations between India and the US, the State Department said.

ALSO READ: Biden-Modi virtual summit ahead of 2+2 meet

Previous Story

France votes: Macron, Le Pen face Rematch

Next Story

Death toll in Ukraine train attack hits 57

Latest from -Top News

India fast-tracks FTAs as US drags feet

As India cements its position as a global trading force with a flurry of new free trade agreements, including a landmark pact with the United Kingdom, negotiations with the United States continue

Hamas Reiterates Peace Effort After U.S. Jab

Hamas Reaffirms Commitment to Ceasefire Talks After U.S. Criticism…reports Asian Lite News Hamas on Friday reiterated its commitment to the ongoing ceasefire negotiations, responding to remarks by U.S. Special Envoy to the
Go toTop

Don't Miss

Indian envoy pays tribute to Mahatma Gandhi at Jintai Museum

Luo Xiao from the Museum, the diplomatic community, the Indian

Trump-backed Republican clinches Ohio Senate race

JD Vance emerged victorious in the Ohio GOP (Republican National