US postpones 2+2 Dialogue for 'unavoidable reasons'

The United States on Wednesday postponed the 2+2 dialogue with India, scheduled to be held on July 6, due to "unavoidable reasons", confirmed the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA).

"Secretary of State Mike Pompeo spoke to External Affairs Minister (EAM) Sushma Swaraj a short while ago to express his regret and deep disappointment at the US having to postpone the 2+2 Dialogue for unavoidable reasons," the official spokesperson of the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) Raveesh Kumar tweeted.

The two dignitaries agreed to identify new mutually convenient dates to hold the Dialogue at the earliest, in India or the US.

The change in plans comes on a day US president Donald Trump accused India of charging as high as 100 percent tariff on import of American products.

The move also comes at a time when US Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley is on a three-day visit to India.

She arrived here in the national capital on Tuesday.

Haley called on Prime Minister Narendra Modi and discussed ways to enhance cooperation between the two countries, including on counter-terrorism. She also met External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj.

Earlier, the 2+2 dialogue between the US and India was scheduled on July 6.

It was to be attended by the US Department of State, US Secretary of State Michael R. Pompeo and Secretary of Defense James Mattis will host Indian External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj and Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman for the dialogue.

The dignitaries were expected to discuss bilateral defence and security cooperation.