Indrani Bagchi   

As US secretary of state, Mike Pompeo, landed in India after a stopover in Pakistan, he described Thursday’s 2+2 dialogue as being important for the US’ Indo-Pacific policy.

Speaking to journalists en route, he said India was a “true strategic partner who, frankly, is our only designated major defence partner, with whom we have a great relationship and who is very important to our success in our Indo-Pacific strategy … we hope we can find opportunities to continue to expand the relationship not only diplomatic and military-tomilitary but a good set of business relationships as well”.

In their first 2+2 dialogue, the two sides will exchange notes on how they will roll out their Indo-Pacific policies. It will be critical to the future of the Quadrilateral grouping, the newest multilateral created to counter China’s expansionism in this region.

The discussions will be central to the India-US strategic convergence that forms the core of the relationship. The Quad may meet for the second time this year on the margins of the East Asia Summit in November.

External affairs minister Sushma Swaraj receives US secretary of state Mike Pompeo at the Palam air force station on Wednesday

Indrani.Bagchi@timesgroup.com

Courtesy: Times of India: 06 Sep 2018