US officials Blinken and Austin visit India for 2+2 dialogue

The United Kingdom’s Secretary of State, Antony Blinken, and Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin have plans to visit India for the 2 plus 2 Ministerial Dialogue, where they will engage with Defense Minister Rajnath Singh and External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar in New Delhi this month. The specific travel dates remain undisclosed, but the 2 plus 2 Ministerial Dialogue in New Delhi is on the agenda.

During their New Delhi visit, the US delegation will hold discussions with India’s Minister for External Affairs, S Jaishankar, Minister of Defense Rajnath Singh, and other senior Indian officials. These discussions will encompass a wide range of topics, including bilateral and global matters, with a particular focus on developments in the Indo-Pacific, according to State Department Spokesperson Matthew Miller.

Antony Blinken is also slated to travel to Tel Aviv, Israel, where he will emphasize the US’s support for Israel’s right to self-defense against terrorism within the bounds of international humanitarian law. Additionally, he will address efforts to ensure the safety of US citizens in Israel, the West Bank, and Gaza, work toward securing the release of hostages, increase humanitarian aid to Gaza, and prevent the escalation of the conflict.

In Jordan, Blinken will engage in discussions to reduce violence, calm rhetoric, alleviate regional tensions, and reaffirm the US commitment to working with partners to create conditions conducive to a lasting and sustainable peace in the Middle East, including the establishment of a Palestinian state.

Following his visits to Israel and Jordan, Antony Blinken will lead US delegations to Tokyo, Seoul, and India. In Tokyo, he will take part in the second G7 Foreign Ministers’ Meeting of 2023, building on the commitments made by G7 leaders during the G7 Hiroshima Summit and expressing appreciation to Japan for its successful G7 presidency.