The US, denying a media report that it and India had held talks about conducting joint naval patrols including in the disputed South China Sea, said that there are currently no such plans.
"The United States and India do have a shared vision of peace, stability, and prosperity in Asia, " State Department spokesperson Mark C. Toner told reporters on Thursday when asked about the media report.
"We're committed to work together with others in the region to achieve our shared goals in an open, balanced, and inclusive security structure, " he said.
"But at this time, I can say there's no plans for any joint naval patrols, " Toner added.
Asked if there were no plans for naval patrol on South China Sea or anywhere, the spokesperson repeated: "Any".
To a question whether there was no such plan even in the Indian Ocean, Toner replied: "No. "
Western media reports on Wednesday that the two countries had held talks about conducting joint naval patrols, and cited an unnamed US defence official as saying such patrols could include the South China Sea.