Trump to call for a ‘free and open’ Indopacific region during Asia visit

WASHINGTON:THE White House on Monday said US President Donald Trump will raise the necessity for freedom of navigation in the Indo-pacific region during his upcoming Asia trip, an issue that has been raised by India repeatedly in recent years.

There is also a possibility of Trump and Prime Minister Narendra Modi meeting on the sidelines of the Asean Summit in Manila — scheduled for November 13-14 — which the Indian leader is expected to attend, sources said. Though there has been no announcement by either party, a pull-aside or a longer, more elaborate meeting can take place.

Trump has bilateral meetings on his schedule, but only one was announced — with President Rodrigo Duterte of the Philippines, the host nation.

White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders said Trump’s trip will underscore “his commitment to longstanding US alliances and partnerships, and reaffirm US leadership in promoting a free and open Indo-pacific region”.

Trump will address the issue more specifically at the summit of the Asia-pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) in Danang, Vietnam. “In the speech, the President will present the US’ vision for a free and open Indo-pacific region and underscore the important role the region plays in advancing America’s economic prosperity,” Sanders said.

Vietnam is one of the six countries engaged in long-standing disputes over ownership of mineral-rich islands in the South China Sea, which Beijing has claimed in its entirety.

The US has tested those claims, sending naval ships and air force flights through the region by asserting freedom of navigation, and raising tensions.