The US and India are all set to hold the 2+2 dialogue on September 6. Sources say that there would be separate bilateral meetings between External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj and her counterpart Secretary Pompeo; and Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and her counterpart Secretary Mattis. The bilateral meetings would be followed by the formal 2+2 dialogue which will extend into a working lunch and conclude with press statements.
Later in the day, the four of them would call on Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
There has been a number of high-level engagements between the two governments ahead of this meet. Highly placed sources say a number of telephone conversations have taken place between PM Modi and President Trump as also between the External Affairs Minister, the Defence Minister and their counterparts. This new format will "replace" the strategic and commercial dialogue.
While both sides have been waiting to sign the in-principle agreement on Communications Compatibility and Security Agreement (COMCASA), sources say that these enabling agreements are up for discussion and both sides will take stock of such enabling provisions in the defence cooperation sector.
The issue of India's defence cooperation with Russia and the looming sanctions under CAATSA (Counter American Adversaries Through Sanctions Act) has been an issue of contention but highly placed sources say that this is an American law enacted by the US Congress to give the President flexibility. How it should be applicable is a matter for the US to decide. Without wishing to elaborate how this might affect India a source said, "Our hope is that the US will keep in mind the strategic relationship with all countries before taking a decision."
CAATSA could put India under major stress not just with the acquisition of S-400 Triumph missile system but also with India's relations with Iran. While sources say that third country relations will not be discussed during the bilateral meetings, India will be seeking an assessment by the US of the new administration in Pakistan given that the Secretary of State will be visiting Islamabad on September 5 before his arrival in Delhi. "We would want to learn what their views are on the new administration in Pakistan", said a source.
The India side will discuss the issue of Iran and impress upon the American side the energy requirements that India has and are met by Iran alone. India is heavily energy reliant. 80 per cent of India's energy resources come from external sources of which 35 per cent are from Iran. Sources say India is not only engaging US but also many other countries as to how they are dealing with the situation and if they have found alternative payment options. While India does not want to see a nuclear state in Iran, it does want Iran to have access to civilian nuclear energy.
Standing against any forcible imposition sources in India said that while "concerns" will be discussed, at the end the decision would be that of Government of India whether we continue to import Iranian crude or not.
Despite CAATSA, India was hoping to get a "carve-out" for India's project in Iran's Chabahar port. America has been continually engaged to highlight the development activities in Afghanistan which are recognised by the international community. But there is an interest in seeing Chabahar in a larger regional role, than just a port financed by Iran, and hopefully even Afghanistan will convey this to the US, said the source.
Despite CAATSA, India was hoping to get a "carve-out" for India's project in Iran's Chabahar port. America has been continually engaged to highlight the development activities in Afghanistan which are recognised by the international community. But there is an interest in seeing Chabahar in a larger regional role, than just a port financed by Iran, and hopefully even Afghanistan will convey this to the US, said the source.
During the bilateral meeting between Swaraj and Pompeo, both sides will discuss issues related to trade, immigration and visa issues as also the issue of counter-terrorism. There will be some discussions on Indo-Pacific. "It will be interesting to have direct perspective on what their views on the Indo-Pacific architecture are", said sources.
On counter-terrorism, both sides will discuss cooperation at the FATF and designation of elements detrimental to both Indian and American security.
India welcomed the recent moves by the US to designate members of terrorist organisations such as the Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and the Jasih-e-Mohammad (JeM). "We hope that more entities we would like designated are done", said sources.
