India discusses 'most dynamic' East Asia with US regularly: Shivshankar Menon

As Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh gears up for his visit to the United States of America next week, National Security Advisor Shivshankar Menon on Friday said that India regularly discusses the situation in East Asia with the superpower in order to jointly assess the developments in the region.

"We discuss East Asia and the situation in the region as a whole with the U.S. and we do that quite regularly. We find it useful to share our opinions, to share our assessments to see what is happening because this is one of the most dynamic regions of the world. ...It makes sense for us to know what the major superpower is doing in that region," Menon said.

"What we agree on, what we don't agree on-that varies from time to time. The situation itself keeps changing. But, you can see what we do together. As I said, we work together to try and see that we evolve towards an open, inclusive and balanced security architecture and we have an interest in an open regional trading regime also-both of us," Menon added.

On September 16, India and China said that strong bilateral relations between both countries would benefit Asia.

"Often, we find ourselves speaking of the 21st century being the Asian century, and it is our firm belief that the Asian century dream will remain unfulfilled if India and China are not able to find concurrence on important ways in which we think on global issues," Khurshid said at the inauguration of the India-China Media Forum being held here.

China's Minister of the State Council Information Office Cai Mingzhao said both New Delhi and Beijing must continue to work together, while keeping their self interests in mind.

"Looking to the future of China-India relations, it has great potential for growth. As close neighbours and partners, friendly and pragmatic cooperation between China and India is in the fundamental interest of both nations. It is also a blessing for Asia and the world," he said.

Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh is scheduled to attend the U.N. General Assembly in the United States of America next week, along with External Affairs Minister Salman Khurshid.