• It is a diplomatic arrangement between India and U.S.
• It is going to be held in July in which Indian External Affairs and Defence Ministry will held meeting with their U.S counterparts.
• It is expected to further cement the India-U.S. engagements.
• It key focus areas will be concluding COMCASA and BECA pacts.
• Sale of armed drones is high on the agenda of the 2+2 dialogue.
• The U.S. has been engaging India since 2002 on the foundational agreements.
• But successive governments have been wary of giving in to the U.S. demands due to fear that these pacts may compromise India-Russia military ties.

India – U.S Defence Pacts

• There are four foundational agreements that helps the U.S. to intensify its defence cooperation with a partner nation such as India.
• India has already signed two pacts such as Logistics Exchange Memorandum of Agreement (LEMOA) and General Security of Military Information Agreement (GSOMIA).
• LEMOA gives both nations access to each other’s military facilities. But it does not make it automatic or obligatory.
• GSOMIA paved the way for greater technology cooperation in the military sector.
• The other two pacts which India yet to ratify are Communications Compatibility and Security Agreement (COMCASA) and Basic Exchange and Cooperation Agreement for Geo-spatial Cooperation (BECA).
• COMCASA will facilitate transfer of encrypted communications systems.
• It helps in sharing high-tech military hardware, especially armed drones which the U.S. is willing to supply to India.
• BECA facilitates exchange of geospatial information.