India and the other Quad member countries on Thursday stressed that they are committed to a “rules-based international order, underpinned by respect for territorial integrity and sovereignty.”
They also added that changes in the world make a strong case for them to work closely together. The virtual meeting of the four Quad nations (India, US, Australia, and Japan) comes amid the ongoing disengagement process between Indian and Chinese troops at the Pangong Tso in Ladakh. India and China were locked in a bitter border standoff that began in April-May 2020.
A statement issued by the Ministry of External Affairs said that “The ministers emphasised their commitment to upholding a rules-based international order, underpinned by respect for territorial integrity and sovereignty, rule of law, transparency, and freedom of navigation in the international seas and peaceful resolution of the dispute.”
The statement added that the ministries highlighted their shared attributes as political democracies, market economies, and pluralistic societies.
The statement added “They recognised that the changes underway in the world make a strong case for their countries working closely together. It was important for the international community that the direction of changes remains positive and beneficial to all.”
The meeting was held between External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, Japan’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Motegi Toshimitsu, and Marise Payne, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Australia. The Quad ministerial is an informal group of four countries.
Jaishankar tweeted, “Just concluded the Quad Foreign Ministerial Meeting with Australia, Japan, and the US. Our positive agenda underlines our shared commitment to the global good. Exchanged perspectives on regional issues across the Indo-Pacific and highlighted practical cooperation in different domains to give our agenda a concrete shape.”
In an effort to expand the concept and framework of Indo-Pacific, the Quad countries also discussed the role of ASEAN in the initiative and the fact that European countries are also coming out with their own concept of Indo-Pacific.
In a statement, Payne said they discussed the increasingly complex strategic challenges facing the region, and the growing pressures on rules, norms, and institutions.”
