India and USA held 2+2 Ministerial dialogue at the Hyderabad House in New Delhi. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, US Secretary of State Michael Pompeo and US Secretary of Defence Mark Esper were present in the meeting.
BECA (Basic Exchange and Cooperation Agreement) which is the fourth and final agreement of USA with India, was on top priority.
“We are happy that we’ve completed the BECA (Basic Exchange and Cooperation Agreement), which will open new avenues in the information sharing. We are eager to discuss further issues with U.S,” Defence Minister Rajnath Singh.
BECA will give India access to classified and sensitive satellite and sensor data.
“We’ve strengthened our defence & security partnership especially over past year during which we advanced our regional security & information sharing. Our cooperation meets the challenges of the day & principles of a free and open Indo-Pacific,” US Defence Secretary Mark Esper said.
Later, NSA Ajit Doval also held a meeting with Mike Pompeo and Mark Esper.