The conversation comes as the two sides prepare for the ‘two-plus-two’ talks

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Tuesday said that he has spoken to US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken, covering a range of bilateral and global issues, including the situation in the Indo-Pacific region.

A tweet by Jaishankar said that he held broad ranging conversation with Secretary Blinken on Monday night. The two covered current bilateral issues, Indo-Pacific and pressing global matters.
The Minister’s tweet also said that he exchanged New Year greetings with his US counterpart.

The talks between Jaishankar and Secretary Blinken comes as the two sides prepare for the ‘two-plus-two’ talks.

The 2+2 ministerial dialogue takes place between foreign and defence ministers of both the sides. The last meeting of the 2+2 dialogue was held in New Delhi last year and the next meeting is expected to be hosted by the US in Washington early this year.

“Our dialogue and engagement with the US has been quite intense, regular and we look forward to holding the next 2+2 ministerial meeting with the US. Details are being worked out but I am afraid we haven’t got a date as yet to share with you,” MEA Spokesperson Arindam Bagchi had said at a weekly media briefing in December.