New Delhi: The 'two plus two' talks between *India and the US are scheduled to take place on April 11. This will be the fourth ministerial dialogue between the two countries. The talks will be hosted by US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin and Secretary of State Antony Blinken, India's Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar. In the wake of this very important meeting, India is optimistic about discussing enhancing military cooperation with the US.  

People associated with the matter have said that the talks are taking place at a time when the Biden administration has become more vocal in slamming New Delhi over its reluctance to criticise the Russian war in Ukraine. People familiar with the matter, speaking on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the talks, said Washington's recent public statements warning India with regard to the consequences of the purchase of arms and concessional oil from Russia were contrary to the personal discussion between the two sides.  

The sources cited talks in New Delhi last month with US Assistant Secretary of State Victoria Nuland, who had offered assistance in finding alternative sources of weapons that could be used by India to counter neighbouring Pakistan and China. According to people familiar with the matter, India has clearly told Nuland that the Russian weapons options were quite expensive. India has made it clear to the US envoy that it has a very "costly deal" to buy weapons from anywhere other than Russia. At the same time, Russian companies are all set to set up joint ventures with Indian companies, including some technology transfers, while American defence companies are not willing to do so.

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