Thank You. My senior colleague Defence Minister Rajnath Singh ji, Secretary of State Blinken, Secretary of Defense Austin.
It is a great pleasure to participate in the Fourth India-US 2+2 Ministerial Dialogue. This morning, we have had separate meetings with our State and Defence counterparts respectively. We have of course, benefitted from the guidance provided by Prime Minister Modi and President Biden through the virtual summit at which we were all present.
The 2+2 format is intended to promote a more integrated approach to our partnership. And this has become increasingly relevant as the scope and intensity of our engagement steadily increases. We can truly assert that there is virtually no domain on which we are not cooperating with each other. The nature of our opportunities and challenges are such that they are more effectively addressed through a cross-cutting dialogue.
As we meet for the fourth time, we can take satisfaction at the extent of progress that we have made. Whether it is our US$160 billion trade account, our 200,000 students, our highest recorded investment levels or our rapidly growing energy trade, the yardsticks to measure our growing closeness tell their own story. Defence Minister would similarly be highlighting the transformation in that domain.
Our collaboration has grown well beyond its bilateral scope and now has a visible impact on global issues as well. It could be addressing the Covid challenge, taking climate action, ensuring maritime security or promoting critical technologies, what India and the US do together will make a difference.
A significant focus of our engagement pertains to the Indo-Pacific. We have seen particularly over the last year both an elevation and an intensification of the Quad. Our achievements in this regard have a larger resonance.
Today, we will be reviewing all these matters and more. We will also be discussing contemporary developments, including obviously Ukraine, also Afghanistan, the Gulf and the Indian subcontinent.
I thank Secretary Blinken and Secretary Austin for receiving us today and look forward to our talks.
Washington DC
April 11, 2022