India says no to two plus two talks with US

[WARRANT]

Antony says no to two plus two talks with US​

India has turned down an offer by the US to have a strategic dialogue involving the Defence Minister and the External Affairs Minister with their counterparts from Washington after objections were raised by the Defence Ministry. The ‘two plus two’ format, which envisaged talks on strategic affairs and defence, has been objected to firmly by Defence Minister A K Antony, putting an end to efforts to have a joint strategic dialogue.

The Defence Ministry has made it clear that while it is open to direct meetings with the US officials within the framework of the defence cooperation agreement, the format of joint talks that are not headed by the Prime Minister but involve multiple ministries is not feasible. This view has been supported by the Ministry of External Affairs.

It may be recalled that the strategic dialogue between the US and India scheduled in April was called off at the last minute after Antony conveyed his inability to attend, citing state elections in Kerala.

While a high powered team from the US, including Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, Secretary of Defence Robert Gates and Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano, was to come in April, the strategic dialogue was called off after Antony conveyed his unavailability.

Antony says no to two plus two talks with US - Indian Express

 

[Riaz Mohammed]

Anthony is THE best defence minister India has EVER had.

 

[Varad]

This is the second time they have done that. Antony first did it when US was trying to heat up the MMRCA issue on India. Well done Antony.

 

[WARRANT]

 

[rkjindal91]

Its a clear msg to the US from India. Call it a diplomatic way of saying,

''Hold on there man. Don't be hyper like a teenage kid. We understand that you find us most profitable and important strategic ally at present. But we still remember Nixon Era, The Cold War, 71's Seventh Fleet, and 98. You need a lot to do to impress us and overcome the past.''

 

[rkjindal91]

I love congress for Antony, Chidambram, Sibbal, Rahul, and the person I am ready to die for Man Mohan Singh.
You think Antony would have declined US without MMS's support?? Naah....

 

[footmarks]

Though OT here, but why Rahul ? & Sibbal? what have they done??

And Chidambaram? he was one of the best Fin minsiter India have had, but as home minister, he has been disappointing to say the least. Maoist problem, Telengana issue, midnight crackdown on fasting people, how pathetic his handling have been in terms of internal affairs.
Antony yes, Manmohan yes too as far as personal integrity & foreign relations/image is concerned.

I heard on a news channel the other day, some one saying about Manmohan singh "he is an honest man heading the most corrupt govt ever" & I agree with the statment.

 

[Kinetic]

That is a kiddish decision by Antony and GoI. India and US's relation specially defence is very important. US can not do anything about MRCA. They already understood the reasons why F-18/F-16 can not win and they accepted it to move forward. DRDO and US govt and companies have important cooperation. Also US-India relation to be the most important factor of 21st century.

 

[rkjindal91]

Sibbal:
1) Providing 1st class Laptops & Palmtops at just 1500Rs for students. Gardualy cost will be reduced.
2) Advocating for a single nationalised test NAT after +2.
3) Many more new schemes and programmes which are in test phase.

Rahul:
Well I don't know. You can call it my sixth sense. But I am sure he is not the bad guy. He is a good man. Goodness+Education= Great Leader.

Chitambram:
1) He has forced many rebels to come to table.
2) Dealing well with ignorant uneducated maoist bigots.
3) Handled Kashmir uprising beautifuly (those prostesting were being supported by cross border terrorists) without international shame.
4) Latest Baba Ramdev incident: Baba had nothing to do with black money/corruption (You can in no way force Swiss Govt. to give away the black money by such hunger strikes. Govt. is doing what it can do at its best. Such protests are instead making the job more tough). All he want was to gain political fame and media support for his party.
No bullets were fired on civilians. Injuries were caused by the minor stampede.

 

[gubbi]

That is a kiddish decision by Antony and GoI. India and US's relation specially defence is very important. US can not do anything about MRCA. They already understood the reasons why F-18/F-16 can not win and they accepted it to move forward. DRDO and US govt and companies have important cooperation. Also US-India relation to be the most important factor of 21st century.

IMHO, Antony is right to turn down that offer. Defense dealings should be within the framework of defense co-operation deals and those are headed by the PMO and the MoD. What has MEA got to do with it?

It look like a lame attempt to secure defense deals by trying to rope in MEA and 'bribe' them by providing sops so that deals can be swung US's contractors' way.

AT this point of time, these should be one to one dealings and lets see how this plays out instead of jumping at anything that moves.

 

[pmukherjee]

It was the correct decision. We do not want to be forced into any situation not to our liking just because it suits the Americans. The historical baggage is far too heavy to be rid of so easily. History of America's animosity towards India goes back almost right up to the start of the history of independent India. Buying a few weapon systems for which we paid the market price and which were downgraded by US because we did not sign on some treaties does not in any way imply that US becomes India's new best friend all of a sudden. The US is trying to hustle us but things like trust between nations take time to develop and we are in no hurry. I know there is a lobby in India which is all too keen to jump into America's lap and replace Pakistan as one of America's many best friends but I am happy that there are enough sane people also around. Even though it may suit India just fine but America's treatment of Pakistan and the recent statement of the US declining to support Philippines in case of hostilities with China over the Spartlys is an indication of America's attitude towards its Asian friends. If push comes to shove, I doubt that US will fight for Taiwan. Taiwan is just a lucrative market for American weapons, that is about all. America's core interests lie with Western Europe and Israel. Pakistan was just a proxy against USSR and now we have to guard against being made into a proxy against China. Yes we want better relations with the US, but on our terms and in our time. The comfort level has to be there. At the same time, friendship with the US will not be at the cost of friendship with Russia or Iran.

 

[footmarks]

Sibbal:
1) Providing 1st class Laptops & Palmtops at just 1500Rs for students. Gardualy cost will be reduced.
2) Advocating for a single nationalised test NAT after +2.
3) Many more new schemes and programmes which are in test phase.

Rahul:
Well I don't know. You can call it my sixth sense. But I am sure he is not the bad guy. He is a good man. Goodness+Education= Great Leader.

Chitambram:
1) He has forced many rebels to come to table.
2) Dealing well with ignorant uneducated maoist bigots.
3) Handled Kashmir uprising beautifuly (those prostesting were being supported by cross border terrorists) without international shame.
4) Latest Baba Ramdev incident: Baba had nothing to do with black money/corruption (You can in no way force Swiss Govt. to give away the black money by such hunger strikes. Govt. is doing what it can do at its best. Such protests are instead making the job more tough). All he want was to gain political fame and media support for his party.
No bullets were fired on civilians. Injuries were caused by the minor stampede.

Sibbal is a lawyer, just google about what people's cases he have faught.
And laptops?? tell me where I can get those Rs 1500 laptops. I havent seen any student getting that, except maybe some1 getting in some congress rally.
And what does it mean by "advocating" single tst. Its their govt, if they want, they can simply DO it, rather than just indulging in such rhetoric.

Regarding programs in test phase, i tell you , those will remain in test phase, so that they can make them an issue in elections for many years to come.

Rahul: nobody knows what he do, what he can do, and what he is . had it not been his surname, I can bet he would have never even had got a membership in congress youth arm, leave alone being president of it.

Chidambaram: what rebels have been forced to come to table? mind telling some examples?

Dealing with Maoists?? what dealing??

Handled kashmir uprising beautifully? is it so? right in Delhi, the national capital, hurriyat leaders and arundhati roy were openly advocating separation of kashmir and nothing was done, not till today. beautiful indeed.

Baba ramdev incident: i am not supporting that baba, but what was done was a shameful act, a black spot on democracy.

 

[DV RULES]

It was the correct decision. We do not want to be forced into any situation not to our liking just because it suits the Americans. The historical baggage is far too heavy to be rid of so easily. History of America's animosity towards India goes back almost right up to the start of the history of independent India. Buying a few weapon systems for which we paid the market price and which were downgraded by US because we did not sign on some treaties does not in any way imply that US becomes India's new best friend all of a sudden. The US is trying to hustle us but things like trust between nations take time to develop and we are in no hurry. I know there is a lobby in India which is all too keen to jump into America's lap and replace Pakistan as one of America's many best friends but I am happy that there are enough sane people also around. Even though it may suit India just fine but America's treatment of Pakistan and the recent statement of the US declining to support Philippines in case of hostilities with China over the Spartlys is an indication of America's attitude towards its Asian friends. If push comes to shove, I doubt that US will fight for Taiwan. Taiwan is just a lucrative market for American weapons, that is about all. America's core interests lie with Western Europe and Israel. Pakistan was just a proxy against USSR and now we have to guard against being made into a proxy against China. Yes we want better relations with the US, but on our terms and in our time. The comfort level has to be there. At the same time, friendship with the US will not be at the cost of friendship with Russia or Iran.

Good thinking, it shows progress & what exactly should be from Indian thinkers.

 

[suryakiran]

Though OT here, but why Rahul ? & Sibbal? what have they done??

And Chidambaram? he was one of the best Fin minsiter India have had, but as home minister, he has been disappointing to say the least. Maoist problem, Telengana issue, midnight crackdown on fasting people, how pathetic his handling have been in terms of internal affairs.
Antony yes, Manmohan yes too as far as personal integrity & foreign relations/image is concerned.

I heard on a news channel the other day, some one saying about Manmohan singh "he is an honest man heading the most corrupt govt ever" & I agree with the statment.

Rahul? come on mate...

And P.Chidambaram is 100 times better than Shivraj Patil as a Home Minister.