Quad Foreign Ministers say, they are committed to keep Indo-Pacific free from coercion; Denounce use of terrorist proxies

• Integrity Education, Delhi
• 12, Feb 2022

The Quad Foreign Ministers have said, they are committed to promoting the free, open, rules-based order in the Indo-Pacific which is rooted in international law and undaunted by coercion, to bolster security and prosperity in the region and beyond.

At the 4th meeting of Quad Foreign Ministers’ at Melbourne in Australia, the leaders also denounced the use of terrorist proxies for cross-border terrorism. At the meeting, External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar along with his counterparts from the US, Australia and Japan, asserted that Afghan territory should not be used to threaten or attack any country.

In a joint statement issued at the conclusion of the meeting, the Foreign Ministers of the four countries said, an agenda seeking to further the Quad’s shared vision of a free, open and inclusive Indo-Pacific is being pursued to ensure peace, stability and economic prosperity in the region.

In the statement, QUAD leaders have reiterated their condemnation of terrorist attacks in India, including 26/11 Mumbai and Pathankot attacks. The QUAD ministers reaffirmed the UNSC Resolution 2593 passed in 2021.

The resolution said that Afghan territory should not be used to threaten or attack any country, shelter or train terrorists, or plan or finance terrorist acts, with such ungoverned spaces being a direct threat to the safety and security of the Indo-Pacific.

They also expressed an unwavering support of ASEAN unity and centrality, and the ASEAN-led architecture, and to advance the practical implementation of ASEAN’s Outlook on the Indo-Pacific.

Underlining the Quad Vaccine Partnership’s rapid progress, with the expanding vaccine production at the Biological E Ltd facility in India, the ministers said that they aim to deliver at least 1 billion vaccines by the end of 2022.

On Myanmar, the joint statement expressed grave concern about the crisis and called for an end to violence, the release of all those arbitrarily detained, including foreigners, and unhindered humanitarian access in the country.

QUAD Foreign Ministers reaffirmed their support for ASEAN efforts to seek a solution in Myanmar and called on the military regime to urgently implement ASEAN’s Five-Point Consensus and swiftly return Myanmar to the path of democracy.

In his remarks at the meeting, External Affairs Minister Dr.S Jaishankar called for a free and open Indo-pacific . He also urged member nations to work towards ensuring a rule-based international order.

He called upon the member nations to work towards rule-based international order which is free from coercion and respects territorial integrity and sovereignty, rule of law, transparency, freedom of navigation in the international seas and peaceful resolution.

Sources : News on AIR