Sushma Swaraj, Nirmala Sitharaman to attend first India-US ‘2+2 dialogue’

External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj and Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman are set to visit the United States for the first ever India-US ‘2+2 dialogue’ scheduled on July 6.

“External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj and Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman will take part in the first meeting of the ‘2+2 Dialogue’ with US Secretary of State Michael R Pompeo and Secretary of Defence James N Mattis on July 6,” the External Affairs Ministry (MEA) said in a statement.

The meeting is likely to focus on strengthening strategic and security ties.

“The two sides are expected to share perspectives on strengthening their strategic and security ties and exchange views on a range of bilateral, regional and global issues of mutual interest a,” the statement said.

The ‘2+2 dialogue’ had been postponed earlier this year due to uncertainty over the confirmation of Mike Pompeo as President Donald Trump’s new Secretary of State, who was later confirmed as Secretary of State in April.

“The meeting will focus on strengthening strategic, security, and defence cooperation as the US and India jointly confront global challenges,” according to the US State Department.

(With inputs from agencies)