Quad Foreign Ministers’ Joint Statement: A unified stand against terrorism, regional instability

New Delhi, July 29: On July 29, 2024, the Foreign Ministers of Australia, India, Japan, and the Secretary of State of the United States, convened in Tokyo, Japan. The meeting reaffirmed their collective commitment to preserving and strengthening the international order for global benefit, addressing shared challenges, and presenting a unified vision for stability and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region and beyond.

S Jaishankar, Minister of External Affairs in his message on X after the meeting said, “Concluded an extremely productive and detailed Quad Foreign Ministers’ Meeting today in Tokyo. Thank @Kamikawa_Yoko, @SecBlinken and @SenatorWong for sharing their assessments.”

India will be hosting the next Quad Leaders’ Summit later this year and the United States will host the next Quad Foreign Ministers’ meeting in 2025.

Condemnation of Terrorism

The Quad Foreign Ministers have unequivocally condemned terrorism and violent extremism in all its forms, including cross-border terrorism. The use of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), drones, tunnels, and communication technologies by terrorists has been deplored. The ministers reiterated their condemnation of the 26/11 Mumbai and Pathankot attacks, urging immediate justice for the perpetrators. They called for all countries to take decisive action to prevent their territories from being used for terrorist activities. Emphasising accountability, they supported implementing UN Security Council resolutions related to sanctions, urging concerted action against groups like Al-Qa’ida, ISIS/Daesh, Lashkar-e-Tayyiba (LeT), and Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM).

Myanmar Crisis

The Quad expressed deep concern over Myanmar’s worsening political, security, and humanitarian situation, particularly in Rakhine. The ministers called for an immediate cessation of violence, release of unjustly detained individuals, safe humanitarian assistance, and a return to inclusive democracy. They reaffirmed strong support for ASEAN’s leadership in resolving the crisis and called for the implementation of the ASEAN Five-Point Consensus. The Quad highlighted the impact of Myanmar’s instability on neighbouring countries, noting increases in cybercrime, the illegal drug trade, and human trafficking.

Middle East Stability: Commitment to a two-state solution for Israel and Palestine

The ministers condemned the terror attacks on October 7, 2023, in the Middle East, expressing concern over the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. They emphasized the need to release hostages held by Hamas and achieve a ceasefire. The Quad urged compliance with international law, protecting civilian lives, and increasing humanitarian assistance. They supported the UNSC Resolution S/RES/2735 (2024), calling for a ceasefire and hostages' release. The Quad reaffirmed their commitment to a two-state solution for Israel and Palestine and urged an end to unilateral actions that undermine this prospect.

Red Sea Security

The ministers condemned the Houthis’ attacks on international and commercial vessels in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden. These actions destabilize the region, impede navigation, and threaten vessel safety. The Quad reiterated their commitment to the UN Charter, calling for countries to uphold its principles and refrain from using force against any state's territorial integrity or political independence.

Commitment to Multilateralism and Sustainable Development

The Quad reaffirmed their commitment to the UN Charter, the rule of law, and international cooperation. They emphasized the need to revitalize trust in the multilateral system and called for comprehensive UN reforms, including expanding the UN Security Council's permanent and non-permanent seats to better represent Africa, Asia, Latin America, and the Caribbean. The ministers committed to implementing the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, emphasizing a balanced approach across economic, social, and environmental dimensions.

Commitment to a Free and Open Indo-Pacific

The Quad emphasized its unwavering commitment to a free, open, inclusive, and resilient Indo-Pacific. This commitment is rooted in the principles of freedom, human rights, rule of law, democratic values, sovereignty, territorial integrity, and the peaceful settlement of disputes in accordance with the UN Charter. The ministers underscored the importance of every country contributing to regional peace, stability, and prosperity, free from coercion, and responsibly managing competition to prevent domination.

Advancing a Positive and Practical Agenda

The Quad aims to support the Indo-Pacific region’s sustainable development, stability, and prosperity through practical cooperation in areas such as maritime security, emerging technologies, cybersecurity, humanitarian assistance, disaster relief, health security, climate change, counterterrorism, infrastructure, connectivity, and fair lending practices. These efforts are designed to ensure that countries and peoples in the region can freely choose how they cooperate and trade, based on partnership, equality, and mutual respect.

Support for Regional Institutions and Legal Frameworks

The Quad reaffirmed its support for ASEAN’s unity and centrality and the ASEAN-led regional architecture, including the East Asia Summit and ASEAN Regional Forum. They pledged to enhance cooperation with ASEAN in implementing the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific (AOIP). The ministers also expressed strong commitment to supporting Pacific Island countries through the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) and the 2050 Strategy for the Blue Pacific Continent. Additionally, they emphasized the importance of the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA) in addressing regional challenges.

Upholding International Maritime Law

The Quad highlighted the importance of international law, particularly the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), in maintaining peace, security, and stability in the maritime domain. They expressed serious concerns about the situation in the East and South China Seas, condemning any unilateral actions that seek to change the status quo by force or coercion. The ministers called for the peaceful resolution of maritime disputes in accordance with international law and emphasized the significance of freedom of navigation and overflight, and unimpeded commerce.

Enhancing Maritime Security and Cooperation

The Quad is committed to enhancing maritime security through regional partnerships, including the expansion of the Indo-Pacific Partnership for Maritime Domain Awareness (IPMDA) to the Indian Ocean region. They also announced the launch of a Quad Maritime Legal Dialogue under the Quad Maritime Security Working Group to support the rules-based maritime order in the Indo-Pacific.

Promoting Emerging Technologies and Cybersecurity

Recognizing the transformative power of critical and emerging technologies, the Quad is advancing secure telecommunications networks, promoting supplier diversification, and supporting Open Radio Access Networks (Open RAN). The ministers also highlighted the progress of the Quad Fellowship and the upcoming AI-ENGAGE joint research collaboration. They committed to international cooperation on artificial intelligence systems, cybersecurity, and the protection of critical infrastructure.

Strengthening the Information Environment and Gender Equality

The Quad reaffirmed its commitment to media freedom and countering disinformation, which undermines trust and sows discord. They also emphasized the important role of women and girls in conflict prevention and resolution, and peacebuilding, and committed to promoting gender equality and human rights in the Indo-Pacific region.

Responding to Natural Disasters and Improving Connectivity

The Quad highlighted their support for disaster response operations, including recent relief assistance to Papua New Guinea, and the finalization of the Quad Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs). They also celebrated progress in improving regional connectivity through resilient infrastructure and digital services, and the expansion of Quad Infrastructure Fellowships.

Addressing Health Security and Climate Change

The Quad is committed to strengthening health security and pandemic preparedness in the Indo-Pacific region. They also recognized the urgent need to address the climate crisis and are working together under the Quad Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation Package (Q-CHAMP) to enhance climate and clean energy cooperation.

Ensuring Peaceful Use of Outer Space

The Quad called for the safe, peaceful, responsible, and sustainable use of outer space and reaffirmed the importance of upholding the international legal framework for outer space activities, including the Outer Space Treaty.

Addressing Global Security Concerns

The Quad expressed deep concern over the war in Ukraine, condemning the humanitarian consequences and reiterating the need for a just and lasting peace in line with international law. They also condemned North Korea's destabilising activities and reaffirmed their commitment to the denuclearisation of the Korean Peninsula.

The Quad's collective efforts aim to provide tangible benefits to the Indo-Pacific region, promoting stability, prosperity, and a rules-based international order. The next Quad Leaders' Summit will be hosted by India later this year, followed by the next Quad Foreign Ministers' meeting in the United States in 2025.