India-US-Japan Trilateral meet

India, US and Japan together shared their strategic overview of Asia Pacific which included Washington's 'pivot-to-Asia' policy, Iran, China-Japan maritime dispute and the issue of South China Sea. The talks were chaired by US Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asia Robert Blake, Indian Joint Secretary in charge of East Asia for the External Affairs Ministry Gautam Bambawale, and Japan's Deputy Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Kenji Hiramatsu. All the three nations have similar goals:  All three have expanding economic relationships with China, as well as an interest in seeing a progressive growth in Asia's businesses and productivity. Their militaries have operated jointly in the March, 2011 Japanese tsunami relief efforts and they could build on that interaction to strengthen regional stability. Trilateral talks between India, Japan and the US could lead the way in Asia on expanding nuclear energy's safety and use, international cooperation to combat climate change and future economic cooperation. During the meet, the US briefed about its much-talked about policy of 'pivot to Asia', an American move driven by the allure of emerging Asian economies, especially China and India. Another reason is the draw-down of US forces in both Iraq and Afghanistan, which enables the US military to concentrate more resources on Asia-Pacific. The US also talked about Iran's controversial nuclear programme. Japan briefed about its maritime dispute with China. Discussion on increasing Chinese influence in South China Sea also figured during the trilateral. The three sides decided to explore the possibility of developmental cooperation in Myanmar, Afghanistan and Africa. The three sides also explored the possibilities of cooperation in various strategic areas, including piracy and safety of sea lanes in Asia Pacific amidst increasing Chinese assertiveness in the region. Analysts believe that China's military modernization and the expanding activities of the People's Liberation Army Navy in recent years have caused the trio to take more precautions against Beijing.