Thursday, June 2 2005 11:00 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Vladivostok: Seeking to upgrade their cooperation to a qualitatively new level, India, Russia and China today (Jun 2, 2005) decided to cooperate to combat terrorism and other new threats and agreed on the "objective requirement" for comprehensive UN reforms covering expansion of the UN Security Council (UNSC).

At the over two-hour tripartite meeting of External Affairs Minister K Natwar Singh with his counterparts from Russia, Sergei Lavrov and Li Zhaoxing from China, they agreed to intensify efforts to step up economic cooperation in the trilateral format particularly in the fields of transport, agriculture, energy and high technologies.

A two-page joint communique issued at the end of the talks said the Ministers expressed satisfaction at the "dynamic development" of bilateral relations between India and Russia, Russia and China and India and China.

"This opens up possibilities for India, Russia and China to raise their trilateral cooperation to a qualitatively new level," it said.

Combat terrorism and other threats

The three Ministers "declared the intention of India, Russia and China to cooperate in trilateral format in combating new threats and challenges", the communique said.

They stressed that terrorism in all its forms and manifestations and irrespective of its origins and motivations posed one of the most serious threats to international peace and security.

The three sides agreed that the scourge of terrorism should be combated in a "consistent, sustained and comprehensive manner without any double standards".

They underscored the need for coordinated action between the law enforcement authorities of the three countries to act against illegal drug trafficking and other manifestations of trans-border crimes.

First trilateral business meeting

Addressing a joint press conference, Singh said it was decided that India would host the first trilateral business meeting in New Delhi early next year.

Experts and officials from the three countries would meet to examine concrete possibilities in transport, agriculture, energy, high technologies and other sectors and make specific recommendations. The Ministers stressed on the important role of direct business to business contacts.

Global development

The communique said the three countries shared a common approach to key global developments in the 21st century and favoured democratisation of international relations aimed at building a just world order based on the observance of international law, equity, mutual respect, cooperation and progress towards multi-polarity.

They underlined that UN, as the most universal international organization, should play the central role in realizing this goal.

Reforms of UN and Security Council

They "agreed on the objective requirement for comprehensive reforms of UN, including of Security Council, so that the organization becomes more reflective of contemporary global realities and more effective in discharging its functions".

Fight natural disasters

Recalling the considerable efforts made by the three countries in alleviating the suffering of the victims of the recent tsunami, the three Ministers underscored the need for coordination of trilateral efforts in their joint fight against natural disasters and their consequences in the Asia Pacific region.

They expressed confidence that the meeting of foreign Ministers of the three countries, the fourth since it started in 2002 on the margins of the UN General Assembly, would provide a "new impetus" to the trilateral dialogue in all spheres of mutual interest.

Trilateral ties

It was noted that strengthening of partnership in the trilateral format met the long-term national interests of India, Russia and China.

They were convinced that development of mutually beneficial cooperation between the three countries in practical terms would "make considerable contribution to the strengthening of peace and stability not only in Asia but also globally," the communique said.

Singh said the three sides discussed the situation in West Asia, issues relating to Central Asia as also developments in the Korean Peninsula, including the North Korean nuclear issue.

He said the meeting was held in an atmosphere of "real cordiality, warmth and cooperation" and added, "The three of us get on very well and that is a great help."

Singh also had separate bilateral meetings with Li and Lavrov during which they reviewed progress in bilateral ties.

Lavrov said the three countries basically shared the same approach towards world affairs, which was based on respect for international law and respect towards a world of multipolarity.

He said the efficient way towards further strengthening international security in the modern world was democratisation of international instruments in dealing with various problems and moving towards further enhancement of the role and place in the UN.

The Russian Minister said the three sides agreed to further strengthen mechanisms of early warning systems to tackle natural disasters.

He said tripartite cooperation based on common understanding was very important and has a "positive impact" on international relations.

Conclusion

Describing the meeting as "successful," the Chinese Foreign Minister said all three countries wielded "significant influence" in the world and shared similar or identical views on important regional and international issues.

The aim was to carry forward the spirit of the UN Charter respecting the five Principles of Peaceful Co-existence while advocating democratisation of international relations and multilateral approaches to various issues.

Observing that the three countries were "strategic partners without targeting any third country," he said, "We seek mutually beneficial cooperation."

China, he said, would continue to deepen, strengthen and expand cooperation and contribute to peace and common development of the whole world.