NEW DELHI: India has an “enormously important” role to play in Asia, which could be one of the key players in the region in the 21st century, a senior US diplomat said here on Tuesday.
“India’s role in Asia extends to every dimension of national power -- economic, strategic, people to people, cultural and military. So, we think that this development will be one of the most important elements of Asia in the 21st Century,” US Assistant Secretary for East Asian and Pacific Affairs Kurt Campbell told reporters outside South Block after talks with Indian officials on East Asia. “Among the countries of the lower Mekong, there is an enormously important role that India plays,” he said.
“They (Indians) have an interest in strategic interactions...you would have seen the recent meetings between the Indian Prime Minister and the president of Korea...it reflects dramatically improving relations between India and other countries in northeast Asia, Japan, South Korea and also China as a whole,” he said.
Official sources said that the US explained about its “strategic pivot” to Asia, which will largely focus on East Asia.
Besides, they also discussed the recent failed rocket launch by North Korea, and shared notes on regional issues like the South China Sea, East Asia Summit and Asean Regional Forum.
They also discussed the forthcoming trilateral dialogue among India, China and the US in Tokyo on April 23. On Myanmar, he appreciated India’s advice over the last few years.
“Frankly, I must say we have received very good advice and counsel from India over the course of the last couple of years.”