Rajnath Singh, S Jaishankar Arrive In US For '2+2' Talks

To be held under the shadow of the Ukrainian crisis, the '2+2' ministerial is reflective of the significance the India and US governments attach to their bilateral relationship.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar have arrived in the US capital to attend the India-US '2+2' ministerial dialogue in Washington on Monday - the first under the Biden administration.

To be held under the shadow of the Ukrainian crisis, the '2+2' ministerial is reflective of the significance the two governments attach to this bilateral relationship, which former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee described as natural allies.

In fact, President Biden has signalled to elevate the '2+2' ministerial by himself having a virtual meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi from the White House on Monday.

The two Indian ministers - Mr Singh and Mr Jaishankar - along with their American counterparts - Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin and Secretary of State Antony Blinken - are slated to participate in the virtual meeting from the White House.