The Quad sent a loud and clear information to China on Monday, announcing its unwavering commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific. The partnership vowed to create a place where no nation can rule over other people and where every condition can be free of coercion in all forms.
During a meeting, the foreign ministers of the Quad, which comprises, US, India, Australia, and Japan, stressed on the importance of upholding a free and open guidelines based global order, while respecting the principles of freedom, individual rights, democratic values, independence, and territorial integrity of countries.
The officials expressed deep concern for the condition in the East and South China Seas. Without naming China immediately, they vehemently opposed any actions that sought to immediately or forcefully alter the status quo.
The conference involved additional affairs minister S Jaishankar, US secretary of state Antony Blinken, Chinese foreign minister Yoko Kamikawa, and American foreign minister Penny Wong.
” Every state is free from persuasion in all its forms and can exercise its company to establish its own potential,” the ministers stated.” All countries have a role in contributing to local peace, stability, and prosperity while seeking a region in which no country dominates and no country is dominated, competition is managed properly, and is free from coercion in all its forms.
The officials pledged to work towards a free, open, and rich Indo-Pacific, a place that has seen growing Chinese military actions in recent years.
” We reaffirm the Quad’s unwavering commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific, which is equitable and resilient, and are united in our commitment to upholding the free and open rules-based global order, with its strong support for the process of liberty, human rights, the rule of law, political values, sovereignty and territorial integrity, and peaceful arrangement of disputes”, the ministers said.
They criticized the “dangerous use” of coast guard and maritime militia vessels and specifically criticized the growing Chinese movements in the South China Sea.
Their joint statement stated that” We continue to express our serious concern about the militarization of disputed features, as well as coercive and intimidating maneuvers in the South China Sea.”
We also express our deep concern about the dangerous use of coast guard and maritime militia vessels, the increasing use of various dangerous maneuvers, and efforts to disrupt other nations ‘ efforts to elude offshore resource exploitation activities, it continued.
The ministers addressed challenges to the global maritime rules-based order in the South and East China Seas by highlighting the significance of international law, particularly the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea ( UNCLOS).
The Quad unequivocally condemned terrorism and violent extremism in all forms, including cross-border terrorism.
” We deplore the use of unmanned aerial vehicles ( UAVs ), drones, tunnels, and information and communication technologies by terrorists and terrorist entities”, they conveyed.
” We strongly reiterate our condemnation of terrorist attacks, including the 26/11 Mumbai and Pathankot attacks, and call for bringing the perpetrators of these attacks to justice without delay”, they emphasized.
The Quad urged all countries to immediately, persistently, and permanently intervene to stop terrorists from using their territories.
The ministers said,” We are committed to working together to promote accountability for the perpetrators of terrorist attacks and support its implementation, including through domestic designations of UN Security Council resolutions as they pertain to sanctions,” adding.
” We reiterate the call for concerted action against all UN-listed terrorist groups including Al-Qa’ida, ISIS/Daesh, Lashkar e-Tayyiba ( LeT ), Jaish-e-Mohammad ( JeM), and their proxy groups”, they specified.
The ministers put their stamp on their commitment to working with regional and international partners on international issues. They are working to increase their ability to identify, prevent, and combat threats brought on by violent extremism.
