The Foreign Ministers of the Quad countries, including the United States, India, Japan, and Australia, have called for lasting peace in Ukraine and targeted China’s aggressive behavior in the Indo-Pacific
The Quad, short for Quadrilateral Security Dialogue, consisting of the United States, Japan, Australia, and India, has released a joint statement calling for a “just and lasting peace in Ukraine” and respect for a rules-based order in the South and East China Seas. The statement, released after the Foreign Ministers’ meeting in Delhi, has been met with quick and stern responses from both China and Russia, who called the Quad grouping disruptive and “exclusionary.”
China and Russia have been saying for a long time that the Quad is trying to contain their influence in the Indo-Pacific region. The Quad has denied these accusations, stating that its goal is to promote peace, stability, and prosperity in the region. The joint statement calls for greater collaboration in support of the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific, and opposes any “unilateral actions that seek to change the status quo or increase tensions in the area.”
The joint statement expressed concern over the militarization of disputed features, the dangerous use of coast guard vessels and maritime militia, and efforts to disrupt other countries’ offshore resource exploitation activities. The statement announced that the “Quad Maritime Security Working Group” would meet in Washington later this month to discuss these issues.
Quad on Ukraine
The ministers stated their concern over the conflict in Ukraine, emphasising the need for a comprehensive, just, and lasting peace in accordance with international law, including the UN Charter. The ministers also called for adherence to the rules-based international order, which must respect sovereignty, territorial integrity, transparency, and peaceful resolution of disputes. The Quad countries, which had so far been concentrating mostly on the aggressive Chinese behaviour in the Indo-Pacific, have broadened their scope to include Russia without naming it.
The ministers sent a clear message to the Kremlin by calling for peace in Ukraine and the need to respect sovereignty and territorial integrity. The joint statement is critical of both Russia and China, marking the first time a direct reference to the war in Ukraine has been made in the Foreign Ministers’ statement. The statement is seen as a clear indication of the group’s willingness to address not only Indo-Pacific issues but also global issues that impact the world as a whole. The statement comes a day after Russia and China prevented a joint communiqué at the G-20 Foreign Ministers’ meeting.
Counter-terrorism
The ministers decided to form a Quad Working Group on Counter-Terrorism. They noted with deep concern that terrorism has become increasingly diffuse, aided by terrorists’ adaptation to the use of emerging and evolving technologies such as unmanned aerial systems (UAS) and the internet, including social media platforms for recruitment as well as for the financing, planning, and preparation of terrorist activities. The new working group will explore cooperation between the Quad and Indo-Pacific partners to counter new and emerging forms of terrorism.
Quad on 26/11
The joint statement expressed support for India’s demand for UN reform and the inter-governmental negotiations process for expansion of the UN Security Council. The Quad also condemned the 26/11 Mumbai attacks, “which claimed lives of citizens from all Quad countries” and targeted China’s aggressive behaviour in the Indo-Pacific and its attempts to block the designation of terrorists at the United Nations.
Quad on Indo-Pacific
The joint statement is also a clear indication of the Quad’s willingness to work with regional countries to address issues that impact the region. The statement calls for greater Quad collaboration in support of the ASEAN outlook on the Indo-Pacific and opposes any “unilateral actions that seek to change the status quo”. This is understood as a reference to the recent Chinese aggression in Taiwan. Furthermore, the ministers decided to engage more closely with the Indian Ocean Rim Association, a grouping of 23 members that includes India and Australia.
Conclusion
The joint statement is an important step towards addressing global issues that impact the world as a whole. The Quad’s willingness to address not only the Indo-Pacific but also global issues is an indication of its commitment to promoting peace and stability worldwide.