A crucial trilateral dialogue involving India, US and Japan to discuss regional issues is expected to be held by the year-end, the Obama administration has said, recognising New Delhi's "powerful economic presence" in Asia.
"We are working with the Governments of India and Japan to schedule this important gathering to discuss regional issues, and hope to hold this meeting before the New Year," the state department said in a statement issued in response to a question during the daily press conference.
Earlier in the day, deputy secretary of state William Burns emphasised on the need to have a dialogue among the three countries.
India already has "a powerful economic and cultural presence in East Asia, and has built a vast network of economic agreements and security arrangements with partners like Japan, South Korea, Australia, Singapore, Indonesia and Vietnam," he said.