India, US to hold key talks in September
India will host US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and Defence Chief James Mattis in September 2018 for high-level talks that were postponed twice earlier, the Indian Ministry of External Affairs said on 20 July.
The meeting comes amid differences between the two countries over trade issues and the US threat of sanctions on Delhi if it continues to deal with Iran – its key energy supplier – or Russia.
Pompeo and Mattis will hold talks with Indian Foreign Minister Sushma Swaraj and Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on 6 September in what is called the two-plus-two dialogue, the foreign ministry spokesman said.
He said in a statement: ‘The two-plus-two meeting will cover a broad range of bilateral, regional and global issues of shared interest, with a view to strengthening strategic and security ties between the two countries.’
The talks were first meant to be held in April and then in June but they were postponed on both the occasions, triggering speculation of a possible rift between the two countries.
In 2016 the US designated India a ‘Major Defence Partner’ with the aim of improving military cooperation and cutting red tape to ease defence deals.
But ties appear to have cooled down after US exited from the nuclear deal between Iran and world powers in May and said it would reimpose economic sanctions on the Islamic republic and its business partners by 4 November.
It also warned countries including China and India, who are key buyers of Iranian oil, that they should stop purchasing crude from the country before the November deadline or face US sanctions.
The US has also threatened sanctions on any country doing business with Russia's defence and intelligence sectors.
India, the world's top defence importer, had been in talks with Russia to buy missile systems when the sanctions were announced and New Delhi has said the sanctions would not affect ties with Moscow.
More from Defence Notes
-
![Estonia opts for smart, adaptable and cooperative solutions in the face of Russian threat]()
Estonia opts for smart, adaptable and cooperative solutions in the face of Russian threat
Estonian-made equipment is being put through the toughest of evaluations in the hands of Ukrainian soldiers resisting the full-scale Russian invasion which began in 2022. The country has long seen the threat and is continuing to adapt for the future.
-
![UK faces cost of balancing defensive capabilities abroad as Iran conflict widens]()
UK faces cost of balancing defensive capabilities abroad as Iran conflict widens
The UK has recently deployed a Type 45 destroyer to Cyprus and has bolstered its presence in the Middle East in recent weeks with supporting air power to protect neighbouring countries’ air defences.
-
![White House calls on Pentagon contractors to “rapidly and aggressively” boost weapon production]()
White House calls on Pentagon contractors to “rapidly and aggressively” boost weapon production
Intended to sustain Operation Epic Fury against Iran, efforts to increase the production of weapons and ammunition could expose long-standing weaknesses in the US defence industrial base.
-
![India’s strategic defence footprint expansion could be accelerated by Iran-Israel conflict]()
India’s strategic defence footprint expansion could be accelerated by Iran-Israel conflict
The latest escalation between Iran and Israel could shape New Delhi’s next-generation shield as India deepens cooperation with Israel on missile defence and drone production.
-
![Is the US magazine of air defence interceptors deep enough to sustain a long campaign against Iran?]()
Is the US magazine of air defence interceptors deep enough to sustain a long campaign against Iran?
The Pentagon spent a considerable number of THAAD and SM-3 rounds to defend against Iranian missiles in 2025 and has not fully replenished its reserves.
