India and the United States have agreed to deepen the bilateral cooperation and increase defence trade.

They also agreed to intensify their coordination with like-minded countries like Japan for a peaceful Indo-Pacific region and put up a decisive fight against terrorism.

The second 2 plus 2 India US ministerial dialogue in Washington chalked out a pathway to take the bilateral relationship between the two countries in 2020 to a new level.

A number of agreements ranging from greater interaction between elected representatives, Industrial Security Annex (ISA), for collaboration in space, science and water and people-to-people contact were signed.

The two sides also inked an industrial security agreement that will allow the transfer of defence technology.

After the conclusion of the dialogue, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo told reporters that the US values India’s perspective on security in the Indo-Pacific region.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said the signing of the ISA will enable smooth transfer of classified technology and information between private entities of the US and India.

External Affairs Minister Jaishankar said India welcomes the United States as a founding member of the coalition for disaster resilient infrastructure which will enhance its effectiveness in the region’s preparedness against natural disasters.