India, Japan and US hold trilateral dialogue

Amid China's growing military assertiveness, India, Japan and the US have held a tri-lateral dialogue here and discussed wide range of regional and global issues of mutual interest, including prospects of greater commercial connectivity and maritime security.
"These discussions focused on the prospect of greater Indo-Pacific commercial connectivity," State Department spokesman Patrick Ventrell said at his daily news conference.
A readout of the fourth tri-lateral dialogue said the discussions focused on the prospect of greater Indo-Pacific commercial connectivity and regional and maritime security, and cooperation in multilateral fora.
"All sides welcomed the frank and comprehensive nature of the discussions and agreed the talks help advance shared values and interests," the State Department said.

The group agreed to meet again in the fall in Tokyo to continue their deliberations.
The meeting was co-chaired by Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asia Robert O Blake, and acting Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for East Asia and Pacific Affairs James P Zumwalt.

The Japanese delegation was headed by Deputy Vice Foreign Minister for Foreign Policy Kenji Hiramatsu and Deputy Director-General Kanji Yamanouchi, while the Indian delegation was headed by Joint Secretaries in the External Affairs Ministry DB Venkatesh Varma and Vikram Doraiswami.
Chinese government ships have frequently sailed around the five Tokyo-controlled islands in recent months sparking diplomatic clashes.

China has unresolved territorial disputes with some of its neighbours, including India.