4th India-Australia-Japan Trilateral Dialogue Stressed on Peace, Democracy, Economic Growth & Maritime Security

4th India-Australia-Japan Trilateral Dialogue was hosted in New Delhi on 13 December 2017 by India’s Foreign Secretary Dr. S. Jaishankar with Australia’s Secretary of Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade Ms. Frances Adamson and Japan’s Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Mr. Shinsuke J. Sugiyama. They stressed their commitments to peace, democracy, economic growth and on a rule-based order in the Indo-Pacific in addition to the need for greater collaboration in maritime security, disaster response, counter terrorism and strengthening regional connectivity, amidst increasing Chinese assertiveness in the region:

• The three sides highlighted growing convergence of their respective countries’ interests in the Indo-Pacific region and underscored their shared commitment to peace, democracy, economic growth and a rules-based order in the region.
• They underscored their support for ASEAN centrality in the political and security architecture of the Indo-Pacific region.
• The three sides stressed the need for greater collaboration on maritime security and domain awareness and disaster response capabilities.
• They also renewed their resolve to fight the scourge of terrorism in all its forms and manifestations and stressed the need for enhanced cooperation on counterterrorism.
• They deliberated on strengthening regional connectivity as well.
• The three sides welcomed the regular meetings of this important dialogue mechanism.
• The Japanese Vice-Minister proposed to host the next round in Tokyo.

Australian Foreign Secretary Frances Adamson, while briefing presspersons after the meeting said, that the three countries had discussed regional connectivity issues, at the meeting; and responding to a question on concerns about China’s Belt and Road initiative, which India opposes, Ms. Adamson said, “Each of us has a very strong commitment to transparency around these projects, financing arrangements scrutiny, environmental standards and labour standards, irrespective of under whose auspices these projects are held under.”

India-Australia-Japan Trilateral Dialogue during the last three editions has been focussing on a range of issues on maritime security, including freedom of navigation in the South China Sea and trilateral maritime cooperation in the Indian Ocean and the Pacific Ocean; developing joint initiatives and concretising joint maritime projects and disaster relief operations, in addition to prospects for greater economic cooperation.

1^st such trilateral dialogue was held in New Delhi in June 2015 which was followed by a 2nd round in Japan, and the 3rd round was held in Canberra in April 2017.