India has firmly positioned the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (Quad) as the linchpin for ensuring a free and open Indo-Pacific, a region that is increasingly perceived as being under threat due to China’s assertive actions. The Quad, comprising India, the United States, Australia, and Japan, convened a foreign ministers’ meeting in Tokyo on Monday. During this meeting, they expressed serious concerns about the deteriorating security situation in the region, particularly in the South China Sea.
External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar represented India, while the United States was represented by Secretary of State Antony Blinken, Japan by Foreign Minister Yoko Kamikawa, and Australia by Foreign Minister Penny Wong.
Key Highlights from the Meeting:
Strong Message to China:
The Quad reaffirmed its commitment to maintaining a free and open Indo-Pacific, emphasizing its opposition to any unilateral actions by China aimed at altering the status quo through force or coercion. This stance includes significant concerns about the situation in the South China Sea, where China’s use of coast guard and maritime militia vessels has been particularly troubling.
The ministers collectively stated, “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 Quad foreign ministers also specifically highlighted increasing Chinese activities in the South China Sea, particularly the “dangerous use” of coast guard and maritime militia vessels. Their joint statement emphasized, “We continue to express our serious concern about the militarization of disputed features, and coercive and intimidating maneuvers in the South China Sea.” They further added, “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 maneuvers, and efforts to disrupt other countries’ offshore resource exploitation activities.”
Expanded Maritime Domain Awareness:
The Quad aims to extend its Indo-Pacific Maritime Domain Awareness (IPMDA) program to include the Indian Ocean region, facilitating the monitoring of strategic waters. They also plan to operationalize the South Asia program through India’s Information Fusion Centre for the Indian Ocean Region.
The ministers noted that the Quad is making progress in developing a “trusted, secure and robust” telecommunication network. They announced plans to implement Open Radio Access Networks (Open RAN) in the island nation of Palau.
Upholding a Free and Open Order:
The ministers underscored the importance of upholding the free and open rules-based global order, which includes respecting sovereignty, territorial integrity, human rights, and democratic values. They declared, “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.”
Furthermore, the ministers reiterated the necessity of establishing a comprehensive, just, and lasting peace in line with international law, consistent with the UN Charter, and emphasizing respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity. They stated, “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.”
The ministers emphasized adherence to international law, particularly the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), as essential in addressing challenges to the global maritime rules-based order, especially in the South and East China Seas.
Countering Terrorism:
The Quad unequivocally condemned terrorism, including the 26/11 Mumbai attacks, urging countries to prevent their territories from being used for terrorist activities. They called for swift action against UN-listed terrorist groups, asserting, “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.”
The ministers also emphasized the need for countries to take immediate, sustained, and irreversible action to prevent their territories from being used for terrorist purposes. They added, “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.”
Addressing Global Issues:
The Quad expressed profound concern about the ongoing war in Ukraine and the accompanying humanitarian crisis. They also voiced concern over the situation in Gaza and Myanmar, calling for a ceasefire and the release of hostages.
Regarding Gaza, the ministers described the large-scale loss of civilian lives and the humanitarian crisis as “unacceptable.” They unequivocally condemned the terror attacks on October 7, 2023, stating, “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.”
The Quad ministers also underscored the importance of securing the release of all hostages held by Hamas, emphasizing that the release of hostages would pave the way for an immediate and prolonged ceasefire in Gaza. They said, “We affirm the imperative of securing the release of all hostages held by Hamas, and emphasize that the deal to release hostages would bring an immediate and prolonged ceasefire in Gaza.”
In their statement, the Quad foreign ministers expressed their “deepest concern over the war raging in Ukraine, including its terrible and tragic humanitarian consequences.”
#### Action-Oriented Approach: Quad Not Just a Talk Shop
India’s External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar emphasized the Quad’s proactive role in promoting a free and open rules-based order. In a post-meeting press conference, he outlined the Quad’s achievements and future directions.
Jaishankar underscored the Quad’s deep integration into the foreign policies of its member countries, stating, “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, which covers a wide array of areas including telecom technology, humanitarian relief, critical technologies, cyber and health security, and climate action. He remarked, “We are working from trusted telecom technology and under-sea cable connectivity… to critical and emerging technologies, cyber and health security.”
Jaishankar dismissed the notion that the Quad is merely a platform for discussions, 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 Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) operations as examples of the Quad’s practical impact.
He also highlighted the importance of the Quad’s shared democratic values, stating, “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 concluded by noting the strong interactive dynamics between the Quad and bilateral relationships, emphasizing the importance of international cooperation. He remarked, “The Quad is a great contemporary example of both.”
