US & India Might Discuss LAC Matter At 2+2 Dialogue

The army standoff in the Ladakh area between 2 Asian giants India and China is set to be on the agenda of the India-US 2+2 ministerial dialogue to be held in New Delhi next week, a topmost US diplomat said.

The two sides are also finalizing their arguments on some agreements, including the Basic Exchange and Cooperation Agreement (BECA), before the meeting between the defense and foreign ministers of the two sides, principal deputy assistant secretary for South Asian affairs Dean Thompson said at a briefing early on Friday.

“Certainly, I think the situation on the Line of Actual Control (LAC) will probably be discussed at some point, and we’re watching the situation closely. I think both sides have expressed a desire to de-escalate violence,” Thompson said during the briefing that he addressed along with assistant secretary for East Asian and Pacific affairs David Stilwell.

Questioned whether BECA, which will promote sharing of distributed satellite and sensor data, and other agreements will be signed during the 2+2 gathering on October 27, Thompson replied: “We’re in the process of finalizing a lot of the discussions right now, and so I know that BECA and other agreements are in the works.

“I’m not going to, I think, commit to anything right this minute, but we do expect to have several items highlighted as we go through the trip.”

It is broadly assumed that BECA, defined as one of four foundational agreements for sharing of sensitive information and logistics and sales of advanced military hardware, will be signed during the 2+2 dialogue.

India's external affairs minister S Jaishankar and defense minister Rajnath Singh will meet their American equivalents Mike Pompeo and Mark Esper for the third edition of the meeting that will strengthen diplomatic and security ties, including institutionalized intelligence-sharing and efforts to ensure a free and open Indo-Pacific region.

Thompson said: “The 2+2 format is reserved for our closest friends and partners and reflects our belief that the US and India are stronger, more secure and more prosperous when we work together. The 2+2 discussions will focus on global cooperation, on the pandemic response, and challenges in the Indo-Pacific, economic, space and energy collaboration, people-to-people ties, and defense and security cooperation.”

In all his meetings in New Delhi, Pompeo will look for “opportunities to expand the US-India partnership in support of our mutual interests during these challenging times”, Thompson added.

According to reports, Pompeo and Esper will also meet national security adviser (NSA) Ajit Doval and Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

India-China border tension is a serious issue not only for both countries but as well as other countries also. That's why the US want's to solve this issue and this might provide some help for Donald Trump in the upcoming US Election 2020.