Japan, US, India agree on need for peace, prosperity of Indo-Pacific: Vijay Gokhale

Foreign Secretary Vijay Gokhale on Friday said that during their first-ever trilateral meeting, Japan, India and the United States of America, emphasising on the need for peace and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific, agreed that a free, open, inclusive and rules-based order is essential for the same.

Speaking to ANI after the trilateral meet, Gokhale said, "They all agreed that a free, open, inclusive and rules-based order is essential for the (Indo-Pacific) region's peace and prosperity. Prime Minister Modi offered some ideas on how we should take forward the concept of Indo-Pacific and how the three countries can work together to promote this concept."

Gokhale further stated informed "the leaders agreed on the central role of ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations)" for the peace and prosperity of the regions, adding that the leaders "also agreed to work on maritime and connectivity issues and to synergise efforts in this regard."

While saying that meeting was "very good", the Foreign Secretary said that both US President Donald Trump and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe praised Prime Minister Modi for the reforms and the development work he has implemented in India.

Prime Minister Modi is on a three-day official visit to Argentina to attend the ongoing G20 summit.

Following the trilateral meeting with Japan and the US, the Prime Minister met President Sebastian Piñera of Chile and is scheduled to attend an informal Russia-China-India summit later today.