2+2 Dialogue in India-US: Jaishankar said on buying oil from Russia – Europe buys more oil from Russia than India

India’s Defense Minister Rajnath Singh and External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar are on a 5-day visit to the US for 2+2 talks. The two ministers met separately with US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and Secretary of State Antony Blinken. During this, many issues with defense cooperation were discussed.

Meanwhile, External Affairs Minister Jaishankar was questioned on India’s purchase of oil from Russia. In response, Jaishankar said that Europe buys more oil from Russia in an afternoon than India does not buy from Russia in a month.

He said- If you want to talk about India’s energy purchase from Russia, then I suggest that you should focus on Europe. We import a small amount of the energy needed for our energy security from there. But you look at the statistics, Europe buys more oil in an afternoon than we don’t buy from Russia in a month.

Earlier, Rajnath Singh met Lloyd Austin in Washington. During this, the two ministers discussed increasing cooperation in the Indo-Pacific region and strengthening the defense partnership. Austin also assured full help to India regarding the interference being made by China in the Indian Pacific Ocean.

Rajnath Singh also met US President Joe Biden at the White House.

Defense Minister Rajnath Singh with US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin. Rajnath Singh was also given a guard of honour.

Jaishankar and US Secretary of State meet
On the other hand, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar also met US Secretary of State Antony Blinken. During this, there was a discussion on working together on many issues like import-export, global security, climate change and corona of both the countries.

Global issues were discussed under the 2+2 dialogue between India’s External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and US Secretary of State Antony Blinken.

This 2+2 talks have been done under the Quad (QUAD) group. Blinken described the India-US 2+2 dialogue as a turning point in global affairs.

who said what?
Rajnath Singh: At the time of Corona, the US government gave us a lot of support. We thank them. This meeting is very important between India and America. Singh invited American companies to visit India for defense, aerospace and Make for India World programmes. Under the LEMOA (Logistics Exchange Memorandum of Agreement), we have also talked about cooperation in cyber defense.

Lloyd Austin: US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said that we welcome the decision of the Indian Navy to join the Joint Marine Forces Marines. It was decided in this meeting that the armies of both the countries are ready to face any challenge. Indo-US relations are the cornerstone of Indo-Pacific security.

The ministers of both the countries kept their point on many issues including defense cooperation in the meeting held during the 2+2 talks.

S Jaishankar: There was talk of trade and investment between the two countries. At the same time, we thank the United States for its cooperation in combating terrorism and in maritime security. Along with this, during the talks, we emphasized on further strengthening the relations between the two countries in health, space, science and technology.

Antoine Blinken: All countries should put pressure on Putin to end the war. Earlier relations with India were good with Russia, but now we are capable and willing to have relations with India.

Modi and Biden have had a virtual summit

Before the meeting, President Biden tweeted that he is very excited about meeting with Prime Minister Modi of India.

Before the 2+2 Ministerial Dialogue, there was a virtual meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Joe Biden late on Monday evening. In the meeting, both discussed all the issues including Russia-Ukraine war, Corona epidemic.

The US President said that both of us are examples of democracy for the world. We have a very strong partnership in many sectors including defence. On the issue of Russia and Ukraine, we will continue to hold talks. Biden expressed his desire to meet PM Modi at the Quad summit on 24 May.