India, Japan, US discuss issues of mutual interest

Washington, Dec 20: Against the backdrop of increased Chinese military manoeuvres in the Asia-Pacific region, India, Japan and the US held their first-ever trilateral dialogue here and discussed a wide range of regional and global issues of mutual interest.

"These discussions mark the beginning of a series of consultations among our three governments, who share common values and interests across the Asia-Pacific and the globe," said a joint statement issued by the three countries at the conclusion of the day-long meeting here last evening.

The dialogue took place amid heightened tensions between China and the Southeast Asian countries like Vietnam and the Philippines over the issue of sovereignty over the resource-rich South China Sea.

US Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asia Robert Blake and Assistant Secretary of State for East Asia and Pacific Affairs Kurt Campbell co-chaired the meeting, in which India was represented by Joint Secretaries Jawed Ashraf and Gautam Bambwale.

"All sides welcomed the frank and comprehensive nature of the discussions, and agreed the talks help advance their shared values and interests," the statement said. The group agreed to meet again in Tokyo in 2012 to continue their deliberations.

PTI