Japan seeks dialogue with US, India, Aus to ensure free seas

October 26, 2017 10:29

'Japan will propose a top-level dialogue with the US, India and Australia, Japanese Foreign Minister Taro Kono told The Nikkei on Wednesday. The idea is for the leaders of the four nations to promote free trade and defence cooperation across a stretch of ocean from the South China Sea, across the Indian Ocean and all the way to Africa,' report Saki Hayashi and Yosuke.

Kono told The Nikkei that he had shared this proposal with US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson and the Australia foreign minister way back in August, on the sidelines of a foreign ministers meeting in Manila, and that the FMs of the UK and France too were offered a "collaborative role' in the alliance.

"We are in an era when Japan has to exert itself diplomatically by drawing a big strategic picture," Kono tells the two reporters in an exclusive interview. "Free and open seas will benefit all countries, including China and its Belt and Road initiative."

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe is expected to formally propose the arrangement to US President Donald Trump on November 6, the reporters say, here.

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