China, India, Russia come together for regional peace

Another encouraging sign came from the trilateral meeting in Moscow, where China, Russia and India agreed on a wide range of regional and international issues. The three countries called for further reforms in the International Monetary Fund and other global financial institutions to give emerging economies a greater say in global financial matters, which at present are dominated by the United States.

Moreover, China, Russia and India for the first time, unanimously called for fully respecting the UN Convention on the Law of Sea and the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea. They also urged all disputing parties to use negotiations to resolve their differences, which is exactly what China has been insisting on to resolve the South China Sea issue.

The surprising element of the Moscow declaration was India, because it was seen as a rival to China and believed to be backing the US to internationalize the South China Sea issue.

For long, the US has been trying to woo India into its fold to counterbalance China's rise. To this end, US Defense Secretary Ashton Carter visited India earlier this month, saying US-Indian relationship is one that will define the 21st century.

But last week's developments show China, India and Russia can work more closely on regional and international issues and respect each other's concerns. As an extra-regional power, the US has its own agenda and strategy in the Asia-Pacific. In fact, when the US began implementing its "pivot to Asia" strategy some years ago, both China and India were believed to be its main targets.

The US strategic rebalancing has raised tensions in the region, intensified the disputes in the South China Sea and disturbed regional peace and stability, which will benefit neither China, nor Russia nor India. Therefore, New Delhi should take a stance on sensitive regional issues using a sober mind.

The author is deputy editor-in-chief of China Daily Asia Pacific. jasmine@chinadailyhk.com