New Delhi, Aug. 27 -- Senior Indian and US officials discussed cooperation in key areas such as trade and investment, energy security, counterterrorism and the signing of a new 10-year framework for the Major Defence Partnership at a virtual meeting held this week amid a downturn in bilateral ties. The intersessional dialogue under the 2+2 mechanism -- which brings together the foreign and defence ministries of the two countries -- was held virtually on August 25, India and the US said in separate statements on Tuesday. This dialogue is part of preparations for the 2+2 meeting between the defence and foreign ministers of the two sides. Monday's dialogue saw the officials advancing bilateral initiatives, discussing regional security developments, and exchanging perspectives on a number of shared strategic priorities, the external affairs ministry said in a statement. "They discussed trade and investment; energy security, including strengthening civil-nuclear cooperation; critical minerals exploration; counter-narcotics and counterterrorism cooperation; and more," the statement said adding both sides looked forward to increasing defence cooperation, including signing a new 10-year Framework for the India-US Major Defence Partnership. Other areas of defence collaboration included advancing industrial, science, and technology cooperation, operational coordination, regional cooperation, and information-sharing,. The officials agreed to build on the progress made in these areas under the framework of the India-US Compact or Catalyzing Opportunities for Military Partnership, Accelerated Commerce & Technology, which was finalised when PM Modi visited the US in February to meet US President Donald Trump. The two sides reaffirmed their commitment to "promoting a safer, stronger and more prosperous Indo-Pacific region through the Quad." The meeting was held shortly before the Trump administration's 25% reciprocal tariff on Indian goods kicks in by August 28. This is in addition to a 25% punitive tariff on India over buying Russian oil....