By M Rama Rao - Reporting from New Delhi
New Delhi, 15 February (Asiantribune.com): Two Asian Powers, India and China and Euro-Asian Power Russia Wednesday held a trilateral meeting here in New Delhi, which while putting on notice the United States for its 'selective approaches and 'double standards' in the fight against terrorism, decided to close ranks for the security and stability of the region and the world at large.
India's External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and their Chinese counterpart Li Zhaoxing in the joint communiqué issued at the end of their three-hour long discussions did not identify the United States in the course of their criticism of the on-going war against global terrorism.
Notwithstanding their difference with the US on foreign policy issues, both India and China consider Washington as the white knight in shining armour particularly for FDI and trade and have been cultivating both the Capitol Hill and the White House. So much so, the joint statement offers a reassurance to the Americans saying, 'Trilateral cooperation is not directed against the interests of any other country and is, on the contrary, intended to promote international harmony and understanding'.
This is the second meeting of these three countries at the foreign minister level. The first meeting took place at the Russian city of Vladivostok two years back, nine years after Russia came up with the three –way consultation format for coordinated action on issues that impinge their security and economic interests.
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Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Hu Jintao held a first trilateral summit meeting in St. Petersburg in July to reflect on contemporary global realities. The foreign ministers now decided to push the ties under the trilateral format with an eye as much on economic necessities as on energy security. Both China and India are eyeing Russia's rich oil and gas reserves to meet their growing energy demand. High-technology, transport, trade, and civil aviation are the other areas identified for close interaction. A trilateral business forum will be held later this year to explore specific possibilities. Other issues like Iran, Iraq, Afghanistan, North Korea and West Asia also figured at the talks.
'India, Russia and China, as countries with growing international influence, can make substantive positive contribution to global peace, security and stability',' Mukherjee told a joint news conference with his two guests by his side.
Lavrov added cooperation rather than confrontation should govern approaches to regional and global affairs with greater emphasis on 'democratization of international relations'.
His Chinese counterpart Li said, "We did talk about cooperation in the energy sector. All three economies are growing very fast and the potential for tripartite cooperation in trade and energy is vast'.
While on the issue of United Nations, the three foreign ministers spoke on the need for democratisation of international order to make it responsible even further to the principles of multi-lateralism and thus pave the way building a multi-polar world. Central role must be given to the UN to resolve international issues and the UN should be made 'efficient and transparent' and reflect contemporary world realities.
The Chinese and Russian foreign ministers extended support to India's claim to play a greater role in the UN.
Here the text of the communiqué
"A trilateral meeting of the Foreign Ministers of the Republic of India, the Russian Federation, and the People's Republic of China was held in New Delhi on February 14, 2007.
The Ministers noted that the mechanism of trilateral meetings is a manifestation of enhanced mutual understanding and trust among the three countries and positively assessed the outcome of their meetings. They agreed that the Summit level trilateral meeting held in St. Petersburg on July 17, 2006 on the sidelines of the G-8 Summit demonstrated the willingness of the three sides to carry forward consultations on issues of shared interest, at the highest political level, with the aim of promoting the development objectives of the three countries as well as peace, security and stability in the region and the world. They reaffirmed that trilateral cooperation was not directed against the interests of any other country and was, on the contrary, intended to promote international harmony and understanding and find common ground amidst divergent interests. They also emphasized the strong commitment of India, Russia and China to multilateral diplomacy.
The Ministers discussed the political, security and economic aspects of the current global situation, besides exchanging views on how international relations are being presently conducted. They noted that globalization opens up opportunities for a more even distribution of development resources and influence in the world thus creating a foundation for a more stable and balanced international system. They also emphasized the need to preserve the cultural and civilizational diversity of the contemporary world and to promote the existing initiatives for dialogue among civilizations and religions.
They expressed their conviction that democratization of international relations is the key to building an increasingly multi-polar world order that would be based on principles of equality of nations - big or small, respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity of countries, international law and mutual respect. The Ministers acknowledged that the UN is an appropriate instrument for promoting and attaining such a world order. The Sides stressed the importance of reforms at the UN, including the UN Security Council, in order to deal with the myriad challenges of today's world more effectively. They shared the view that member states should aim to make the UN more transparent, efficient and reflective of contemporary realities. The Sides agreed to take steps in this direction. In this context, the Foreign Ministers of Russia and China reiterated that their countries attach great importance to the status of India in international affairs, and understand and support India's aspirations to play a greater role in the United Nations.
The Ministers noted that international terrorism continued to pose a grave threat to all nations and expressed concern about the new and evolving forms of the menace. They agreed that under central and coordinating role of the UN and within the framework of its Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy collective action must be strengthened further by taking into account the mutating character of terrorism and its networks. They agreed that an early entry into force of International Convention for the Suppression of Acts of Nuclear Terrorism and the earliest possible adoption in the UN of the India-sponsored draft Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism would lead to further consolidation of the international legal basis for combating terrorism. The Sides underlined the substantial potential of their counter-terrorism cooperation in regional organizations. They agreed that there can be no justification for any act of terrorism, irrespective of motivations, wherever and by whosoever committed.
They stressed that selective approaches in counter-terrorism cannot yield sustainable results and it should be combated in a consistent, sustained and comprehensive manner without any double standards. The Sides also agreed to coordinate action against all factors that feed international terrorism, including its financing, illegal drug trafficking and trans-national organized crime.
The Ministers agreed that India, Russia and China, as countries with growing international influence, can make substantive positive contribution to global peace, security and stability. In this context, the Ministers exchanged views on various regional and international issues of concern. They agreed that cooperation rather than confrontation should govern approaches to regional and global affairs. While welcoming India's joining the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) as an observer country, the Foreign Ministers of Russia and China stated that they would actively facilitate early realization of mutually beneficial contribution of India to the SCO.
The Ministers paid specific attention to the high potential of trilateral cooperation and synergy in the economic field. The Ministers reiterated the considerable potential for mutually beneficial economic interaction among the three countries in areas such as energy, transport infrastructure, health, high technologies, including IT and biotechnology. Recognizing the important role of the business and industrial circles of the three consistently growing and large economies, the Ministers agreed to advice their respective apex business bodies to organize a trilateral business forum taking into account the capabilities and potential of the three countries. The Ministers agreed to monitor this process with a view to facilitating the agreed business meeting which would take place during 2007.
The Ministers expressed satisfaction at the results of the trilateral meeting in New Delhi and agreed to hold their next meeting in China"
-Asian Tribune-.
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