Foreign ministers of Russia, China and India meet in northern China

China, Russia and India will attempt to boost cooperation in regional and global issues at talks in northern China, foreign ministers from the countries said Wednesday.

Photo: Foreign ministers of Russia, China and India meet in northern China

The meeting scheduled in Harbin is the third of its kind. Previous meetings have fueled speculation the consultations are aimed at forming an alliance to counter the influence of the United States in the region.

"I believe that today's meeting advances cooperation among our three countries," Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi said in his opening remarks.

The countries have denied in the past that they were forming a coalition against American dominance.

The subject of energy security figured prominently at previous talks in New Delhi, with energy-starved India and China eyeing Russia's rich oil and gas reserves. New Delhi hosted earlier meetings in February this year and in June 2005.

Indian External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee said the three-country dialogue would follow up on the New Delhi talks, saying significant global issues had taken place in the last eight months.

"We find that the trilateral dialogue can be of use on global developments and regional issues," he said.

Foreign Minster Sergey Lavrov is also taking part in the talks.