New York TIP: India’s External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj had a Ministerial Trilateral meeting with US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson and Japan’s Minister for Foreign Affairs Taro Kono in New York on Sept 18. On the sidelines of the UN General Assembly here, the three top diplomats also exchanged views on maritime security, connectivity and proliferation issues.

“The ministers emphasised the need for ensuring freedom of navigation, respect for international law and peaceful resolution of disputes,” Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Raveesh Kumar said.

“On connectivity initiatives, the importance of basing them on universally recognised international norms, prudent financing and respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity was underlined,” Kumar said in a statement.

China is engaged in hotly contested territorial disputes in both the South China Sea and the East China Sea. Beijing has built up and militarised many of the islands and reefs it controls in the region.

China claims sovereignty over all of South China Sea. However, Vietnam, Malaysia, the Philippines, Brunei and Taiwan have counter claims.

India and China last month ended a 73-day standoff in Doklam area of the Sikkim sector that was triggered by China’s move to build a road in the border area.

Ms.Swaraj also deplored North Korea’s recent actions and stated that its proliferation linkages must be explored and those involved be held accountable, Kumar said.

Tensions have dramatically risen on the Korean peninsula after North Korea early this month conducted its biggest nuclear test, which its state-run KCNA news agency described it as a hydrogen bomb.

The three ministers directed their senior officials to explore practical steps to enhance cooperation, he said at the conclusion of the meeting.

Sushma Swaraj arrived in New York early on Monday to attend the 72nd annual session of the UN General Assembly. She is scheduled to address the United Nations on September 23.

During her week-long stay here, she is likely to hold between 15-20 bilateral meetings in addition to several multilateral and trilateral meetings.