Difficulty: Easy
Correct Answer: New Delhi
Explanation:
Introduction / Context:
This question focuses on India United States strategic relations, particularly the two plus two ministerial dialogue where the Communications Compatibility and Security Agreement, commonly called COMCASA, was a central agenda item. The two plus two format brings together the foreign and defence ministers of both countries, and its venue often appears in current affairs questions. Understanding where such high level strategic dialogues are planned and held shows awareness of India's evolving defence and foreign policy partnerships.
Given Data / Assumptions:
Concept / Approach:
This is a factual current affairs question, but it also reflects understanding of India's strategic choices. The two plus two dialogue is an institutionalised mechanism where foundational defence agreements such as LEMOA, COMCASA and others are discussed and sometimes signed. Although discussions about the venue initially mentioned Washington, later decisions and reporting highlighted that the crucial COMCASA dialogue and signing would take place in New Delhi. For exam purposes, capsules typically frame the question with New Delhi as the answer, so the candidate should associate COMCASA two plus two dialogue with New Delhi.
Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Recognise that COMCASA is one of the foundational defence agreements between India and the United States, negotiated at a two plus two ministerial dialogue.Step 2: Recall that after some postponements and rescheduling, the two plus two dialogue associated with COMCASA was ultimately linked with New Delhi as the venue in common current affairs notes.Step 3: Review the options to see which city aligns with India as host and with the typical framing of exam questions on this topic.Step 4: Select New Delhi, since it is the seat of the Union Government of India and the recognised venue in exam oriented summaries for the COMCASA related dialogue.
Verification / Alternative check:
A useful verification method is to remember news headlines that spoke of India and the United States holding a two plus two dialogue in New Delhi where they would seek closure on COMCASA. Current affairs compilations for banking and civil services exams repeatedly noted New Delhi as the venue. Washington is certainly an important location for bilateral meetings, but in this context exam material for COMCASA has consistently emphasised New Delhi. Geneva and Mumbai are not mentioned in relation to this particular ministerial two plus two format. This cross reference supports New Delhi as the correct answer.
Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Mumbai is India's financial capital but is not the usual venue for high profile external affairs and defence ministerial meetings of this nature, so it is not associated with the COMCASA two plus two dialogue in exam focused material.
Washington is the capital of the United States and does host some rounds of India United States talks, but the question refers to the dialogue where COMCASA was highlighted in exam notes, which is linked with New Delhi rather than Washington in those summaries.
Geneva is a major international diplomatic city in Switzerland and hosts United Nations bodies, but it is not related to the bilateral COMCASA two plus two dialogue between India and the United States, so it is ruled out.
Common Pitfalls:
A common pitfall is to overthink the diplomatic context and assume that Washington must be the venue simply because the agreement involves the United States. Another error is to confuse discussions about future or alternative locations with the specific dialogue highlighted in exam capsules. Some candidates may also mix up different defence and security dialogues and their venues. To avoid these mistakes, it is useful to link COMCASA exam questions directly with New Delhi as the remembered venue in standard current affairs notes.
Final Answer:
The COMCASA related two plus two ministerial dialogue between India and the United States was scheduled to be held in New Delhi.
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