India and US explore pacts on technology; soft power; defence for 2+2 meet

On 15th October, India and the United States discussed pacts between the two countries on technology, people-to-people contact and parliamentary exchanges, besides the Basic Exchange and Cooperation Agreement (BECA) for Geo-spatial cooperation and clearing their positions on security matters during the forthcoming ‘2 plus 2’ talks between the foreign ministers and defence ministers of the two countries in Delhi on October 26-27. These prospective deliverables were discussed when the visiting US deputy secretary of state Stephen Biegun held wide-ranging talks with the foreign secretary Harsh V Shringla. The two senior officials also discussed the situation along the Line of Actual Control (LAC). While the US highlighted its position on China, India explained engagements with China to end the impasse, the sources said.