NEW DELHI: The maiden India-US 2+2 Dialogue in Delhi on September 6 will see deliberations on operationalisation of India ’s status as major defence partner of the US in wideranging areas, from defence acquisition to communication arrangement to Indo-Pacific partnership.The 2+2 meeting would also cover a broad range of bilateral, regional and global issues of shared interest, with a view to strengthening security ties between the two nations, a person familiar with the dialogue told ET.Besides the information-sharing pact and the Communications Compatibility and Security Agreement (COMCASA), India and the US are likely to move ahead on key acquisition proposals.Just days ahead of the dialogue, India on Saturday cleared the procurement of 24 Sikorsky MH-60 Romeo maritime helicopters. The deal is estimated at $1.8 billion and will fill a critical gap in the Navy.India sees the procurement of MH-60 Romeo choppers as the fastest way to add to the Navy’s capability.The Navy requires at least 123 Naval Multi Role Helicopters (NMRH) and had issued a global request for information for it in August 2017.In addition, talks are expected to progress on the $1-billion proposal to buy a missile defence cover for New Delhi for which Washington has offered its National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile System-II (NASAMS-II).The NASAMS system is designed to protect the national capital from a nuclear missile strike. Discussions are also expected on the Tomahawk cruise missile that can be used from ships and submarines against surface targets. Expansion of joint exercises between the two nations will be a point of discussion as well, with both sides ready to add at least one more war-game involving all three armed forces.Also on the naval side, talks will take place on the pending procurement of 127 mm calibre ship mounted guns. India has approved the procurement of 13 of the guns on an urgent basis for its frontline battleships for an estimated $ 470 million. “Our partnership is rooted in values and we share democratic values and commitment to rulebased order...how do we take this partnership to a new level, and so it’s not going to be based on defence acquisitions, but framing how we see these challenges and how we are able to respond to these challenges,” principal deputy assistant secretary for South and Central Asian Affairs Alice Wells had stated last week with reference to 2 + 2 Dialogue.The two sides will also discuss undertaking joint projects in third countries on the lines of their projects in Africa and Afghanistan