An apprehensive China welcomed the first India-US 2+2 Dialogue but refused to comment on the India-US Sign Defence Agreement under which Indian defence establishment will have access to critical US defence technology, which is meant to gather intelligence, especially on China.
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Asked about China’s response on the India-US dialogue and COMCASA pact, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying said, “As to the 2+2 consultations between India and US we have seen the report. We are glad to see the healthy bilateral relations between the two sides and we also hope that in this process they will do more to promote regional peace and stability.”
Hua, however, did not respond to the question on the COMCASA. On the India-US call for maritime navigational freedom in the Indo-Pacific region, Hua said, “About the security navigation in the sea, we support the legal rights authorised in the international law and we also hope other nations can do real things to ensure freedom of navigation.”
Regarding the maritime agreement during the 2+2 dialogue, India and the US displayed the commitment to work together and in harmony with other partners toward advancing a free, open, and inclusive Indo-Pacific region. The two sides also discussed cross-border terrorism, India’s bid for membership of the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG), the contentious H-1B visa issue, and ways to deepen cooperation in the Indo-Pacific region.
