WEB DESK
India, US, Japan and Australia have come out in strong support of an ASEAN-led mechanism to preserve and promote rules-based order in the Indo-Pacific region where China is flexing its muscles.
At a meeting held in Bangkok yesterday, senior officials of the four countries also highlighted their efforts to maintain universal respect for international law and freedom of navigation and overflight in the region.
The 10-nation Association of South-East Asian Nations (ASEAN) is considered one of the most influential groupings in the region. India and several other countries including the US, China, Japan and Australia are its dialogue partners.
During the meeting, the four countries underscored their intent to continue regular consultations on Indo-Pacific engagement and initiatives together and with other interested nations and institutions.
China has been trying to expand its military presence in the Indo-Pacific, which is a bio-geographic region, comprising the Indian Ocean and the western and central Pacific Ocean, including the South China Sea.