India, US ministers to meet in July, expected to discuss Maldives situation
The two sides are to meet on July 6, for the first meeting of the '2+2 Dialogue'
Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Washington, United States in June 2017
India's External Affairs Minister and Defence Minister, Sushma Swaraj and Nirmala Sitharaman are to travel to the United States next month, and are expected to discuss the Maldives situation.
According to the Ministry of External Affairs, the two 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. Both parties had agreed to the 'new dialogue format' during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to India in June 2017.
"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", reads the Ministry's statement.
US State Department also issued a statement regarding the upcoming dialogue, noting that 'the meeting will focus on strengthening strategic, security, and defence cooperation as the US and India jointly confront global challenges'.
While the '2+2 Dialogue' was expected to take place earlier this year, it was postponed 'due to uncertainty over the confirmation of Mike Pompeo's appointment as President Donald Trump's Secretary of State in April'.
Last week, during her four-nation tour of Europe, Minister Swaraj discussed the current situation in Maldives with her counterpart from the European Union, Federica Mogherini.
