<font color="#222222">United States and India are working together hand in glove diplomatically and militarily to build dimensions of one of America's most critical bilateral relationships ahead of the 2 plus 2 dialogue. </font><br />'' <br />'' <span style="color: #222222;">A senior State Department official told lawmakers during a Congressional hearing that substantial progress will be made in the bilateral relationship during the dialogue to be held in New Delhi in September. </span><br />'' <br />'' <font color="#222222">The meet will be the first 2 plus 2 dialogue between India and the United States. Last month, the US had postponed the dialogue as Secretary of State Mike Pompeo had top travel to North Korea. </font><br />'' <br />'' <span style="color: #222222;">The dialogue, a vehicle to elevate the strategic ties between the two countries, was announced last year during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's meeting with President Donald Trump. It has been rescheduled at least twice since then.</span><br />'' <br />'' <span style="color: #222222;">Principal Deputy Assistant of state for South and Central Asia, Alice Wells, said the two countries are closer to signing the long-pending foundational agreements. </span><br />'' <br />'' <span style="color: #222222;">Wells said, the dialogue is expected to give meaning and definition to how major purchases and on-the-ground activities such as the Malabar Exercise can work together to secure the Indo-Pacific region.</span><br />''