Thorny trade, defense issues await US diplomats in India

WASHINGTON - Two of US President Donald Trump's top officials are finally heading for talks in India this week, after Washington twice pulled the plug on the meeting.

The so-called 2+2 dialogue will see US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and Defense Secretary Jim Mattis meet with their Indian counterparts on a range of key defense and trade issues.

Both sides are likely to herald Thursday's talks - the first of their kind between the two nations - as proof positive of their rapidly growing strategic partnership in the region.