In a strong and unmistakable message to China, the Quad reaffirmed its unwavering dedication to a free and open Indo-Pacific on Monday, committing to a region where no single country dominates others and all states are free from any form of "coercion."
A group comprising India, the US, Japan, and Australia issued a statement after holding a meeting in which they declared the plan to extend the ambitious IPMDA into the Indian Ocean, expanding its close monitoring to these critical waters. Further, the Quad insisted on its commitment to operationalize—very quickly—the South Asia program through the India-based Information Fusion Centre for the Indian Ocean Region.
The foreign ministers of the Quad reiterated once again the imperative of an open, free, and rules-based global order, stating their concern for principles from freedom to human rights, democratic values, sovereignty, and territorial integrity. Leveling veiled criticism toward China, gravely concerned about the situation in both the East and South China Seas, they strongly opposed any "unilateral actions that seek to change the status quo by force or coercion."
The others who attended the meeting included External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, Japanese Foreign Minister Yoko Kamikawa, and Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong. They emphasized in a joint statement that all countries must move in the direction of regional peace, stability, and prosperity; hence, of having a region free from domination and coercion..
The Quad reiterated its determination for a "trusted, secure and robust" telecommunication network and announced plans for the implementation of Open Radio Access Networks in Palau. Jaishankar said the Quad wasn't a "talk shop" and that it had resulted in practical outcomes.
The Ministers are deeply concerned about the war in Ukraine and its catastrophic humanitarian consequences and call for a comprehensive, just, and lasting peace in line with international law and the UN Charter. The Ministers also mentioned increasing Chinese maneuvers in the South China Sea, denouncing the "dangerous use" of coast guard and maritime militia vessels and the militarization of disputed features.
The joint statement stated that any challenge to the rules-based order on the global seas of today in the South and East China Seas can only be resolved with due regard for international law, specifically UNCLOS. China insists it has sovereignty over nearly all of the South China Sea, which in turn conflicts with similar claims from Brunei, Malaysia, the Philippines, Taiwan, and Vietnam.
"We have reiterated our full commitment towards a free, open, and prosperous Indo-Pacific; one that supports freedom, human rights, the rule of law, democratic values, sovereignty, territorial integrity, and peaceful dispute resolution, in accordance with the international law of the seas," it said.
The Ministers, in no uncertain terms, condemned terrorism and violent extremism, including cross-border terrorism, and reiterated their condemnation of attacks on 26/11 in Mumbai and in Pathankot, immediate justice to the perpetrators of which must be brought about. They called for immediate, sustained, and irreversible action to ensure that the territories under their control are not used for terrorist purposes, including by outfits such as Al-Qa'ida, ISIS/Daesh, Lashkar-e-Tayyiba, Jaish-e-Mohammad, and their proxies.
It also took cognizance of the grave humanitarian situation in Gaza and the worsening situation in Myanmar, particularly Rakhine state. The Quad condemned terror attacks on October 7, 2023, and called for an immediate durable ceasefire in Gaza and for the release of all hostages held by Hamas.
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