The 2+2 dialogue between India and the US is an indication of deepening strategic partnership between the two countries, the Trump administration has said.
The maiden 2+2 dialogue is scheduled in New Delhi next week and US secretary of state Mike Pompeo and defense secretary Jim Mattis are set to fly to New Delhi for talks with their Indian counterparts, external affairs minister Sushma Swaraj and defense minister Nirmala Sitharaman.
"The dialogue is an indication of the deepening strategic partnership between our two countries, and India's emergence as a net security provider in the region," State Department spokesperson Heather Nauert told reporters.
Nauert added that the importance of the US-India strategic partnership is highlighted in the US President's National Security Strategy and the administration's South Asia and Indo-Pacific strategies.
Earlier, Swaraj and Sitharaman were to travel to Washington to take part in a meeting with their US counterparts in July. But the US postponed the meeting citing “unavoidable reasons.”
On August 20, principal deputy assistant secretary Alice Wells said, “With India, we are looking forward to the inaugural 2+2 dialogue with secretaries Pompeo and Mattis travelling for these meetings in New Delhi on September 6. It is an important opportunity to discuss and enhance our engagement on a range of diplomatic and security priorities and really is an indication of the deepening strategic partnership that we enjoy with India.”
Moglai Bap and Mo Chara of Kneecap perform at Glastonbury Festival at Worthy Farm in Pilton, Somerset, Britain, June 28, 2025. REUTERS/Jaimi Joy
Police may probe anti-Israel comments at Glastonbury
BRITISH police said they were considering whether to launch an investigation after performers at Glastonbury Festival made anti-Israel comments during their shows.
"We are aware of the comments made by acts on the West Holts Stage at Glastonbury Festival this afternoon," Avon and Somerset Police, in western England, said on X late on Saturday (28).
Irish hip-hop group Kneecap and punk duo Bob Vylan made anti-Israeli chants in separate shows on the West Holts stage on Saturday. One of the members of Bob Vylan chanted "Death, death, to the IDF" in a reference to the Israel Defense Forces.
"Video evidence will be assessed by officers to determine whether any offences may have been committed that would require a criminal investigation," the police statement said.
The Israeli Embassy in Britain said it was "deeply disturbed by the inflammatory and hateful rhetoric expressed on stage at the Glastonbury Festival".
Prime minister Keir Starmer said earlier this month it was "not appropriate" for Kneecap to appear at Glastonbury.
The band's frontman Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh was charged with a terrorism offence last month for allegedly displaying a flag in support of Iran-backed militant group Hezbollah at a concert in November. He has denied the charge.
A British government minister said it was appalling that the anti-Israel chants had been made at Glastonbury, and that the festival's organisers and the BBC broadcaster - which is showing the event - had questions to answer.
Health secretary Wes Streeting said he was also appalled by violence committed by Israeli settlers in the occupied West Bank.
"I'd also say to the Israeli Embassy, get your own house in order in terms of the conduct of your own citizens and the settlers in the West Bank," Streeting told Sky News.
"I wish they'd take the violence of their own citizens towards Palestinians more seriously," he said.
(Reuters)