India has positioned the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (Quad) as the cornerstone of a free and open Indo-Pacific, a region it says is increasingly under threat from China’s aggressive actions. The grouping, comprising India, the United States, Australia, and Japan, held a foreign ministers’ meeting in Tokyo on Monday where they expressed grave concerns over the deteriorating security situation in the region, particularly in the South China Sea. The meeting was attended by External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, Japanese Foreign Minister Yoko Kamikawa and Australia's Foreign Minister Penny Wong. Here are the Key highlights from the meeting-: Strong message to China: The Quad reaffirmed its commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific, opposing any unilateral actions by China that seek to change the status quo through force or coercion. This includes concerns over the South China Sea situation and the use of coast guard and maritime militia vessels. "All countries have a role in contributing to regional peace, stability, and prosperity, while seeking a region in which no country dominates and no country is dominated, competition is managed responsibly, and each country is free from coercion in all its forms and can exercise its agency to determine its own future," the ministers said in a joint statement. The Quad foreign ministers also referred to increasing Chinese manoeuvres in the South China Sea, especially the "dangerous use" of coast guard and maritime militia vessels. "We continue to express our serious concern about the militarisation of disputed features, and coercive and intimidating manoeuvres in the South China Sea, " the joint statement said. "We also express our serious concern about the dangerous use of coast guard and maritime militia vessels, the increasing use of various kinds of dangerous manoeuvres, and efforts to disrupt other countries' offshore resource exploitation activities," it said. Expanded maritime domain awareness: The Quad plans to expand its Indo-Pacific Maritime Domain Awareness (IPMDA) programme to the Indian Ocean region, facilitating monitoring of strategic waters. They also aim to operationalise the South Asia programme through India's Information Fusion Centre for the Indian Ocean Region. It said the Quad continues to advance the development of a "trusted, secure and robust" telecommunication network, and announced a plan to roll out Open Radio Access Networks (Open RAN) in island nation Palau. Free and open order: The ministers emphasised upholding the free and open rules-based global order, respecting sovereignty, territorial integrity, human rights, and democratic values. "We reaffirm the Quad's steadfast commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific, which is inclusive and resilient, and are united in our commitment to upholding the free and open rules-based international order, with its strong support for the principle of freedom, human rights, the rule of law, democratic values, sovereignty and territorial integrity, and peaceful settlement of disputes," they said. "We reiterate the need for a comprehensive, just, and lasting peace in line with international law, consistent with the purposes and principles of the UN Charter, including respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity," they said. The ministers emphasised the importance of adherence to international law, particularly as reflected in the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), to address challenges to the global maritime rules-based order, including in the South and East China Seas. Countering terrorism: The Quad unequivocally condemned terrorism, including the 26/11 Mumbai attacks, and urged countries to prevent their territories from being used for terrorist activities. They called for action against UN-listed terrorist groups. "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 added. The Quad urged all countries to take immediate, sustained and irreversible action to prevent territory under their control from being used for terrorist purposes. "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," the ministers said in the statement. Global issues: The Quad expressed deep concern about the war in Ukraine and the humanitarian crisis. They voiced concern over the situation in Gaza and Myanmar, calling for a ceasefire and the release of hostages. On the situation in Gaza, the foreign ministers said the large-scale loss of civilian lives and the humanitarian crisis there is "unacceptable". "We unequivocally condemn the terror attacks on October 7, 2023. The large-scale loss of civilian lives and the humanitarian crisis in Gaza is unacceptable," they said. "We affirm the imperative of securing the release of all hostages held by Hamas, and emphasise that the deal to release hostages would bring an immediate and prolonged ceasefire in Gaza," they added. In their statement, the Quad foreign ministers also expressed "deepest concern over the war raging in Ukraine including its terrible and tragic humanitarian consequences." Action-oriented approach: Quad not a talk shop India’s External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar highlighted the Quad's role in promoting a free, open rules-based order. At a post-meeting press conference, he outlined the Quad's progress and future directions. Jaishankar emphasised that the Quad has become deeply embedded in foreign policies, noting, “The real satisfaction I have is to see how deeply and systemically it has now got embedded in our foreign policies.” He outlined the Quad’s expansive agenda, covering areas like telecom technology, humanitarian relief, critical technologies, cyber and health security, climate action, and more. Jaishankar stated, “We are working from trusted telecom technology and under-sea cable connectivity… to critical and emerging technologies, cyber and health security.” Jaishankar rejected claims that the Quad is merely a talking shop, asserting, “This is not a talk shop but a platform that generates practical outcomes.” He cited various initiatives such as the Indo-Pacific Maritime Domain Awareness and HADR operations. He underscored the significance of the Quad’s shared democratic values, saying, “The overall messaging is that our four countries… are working together for a free and open Indo-Pacific, for a rules-based order and for global good.” Jaishankar also noted the strong interactive dynamics between the Quad and bilateral relationships, concluding with a reminder of the importance of international cooperation: “The Quad is a great contemporary example of both.”
