Quad nations condemn terror, vow stronger coordination

New Delhi, Dec 6: India, Japan, Australia, and the United States have reaffirmed their resolve to intensify joint action against terrorism following the 3rd Quad Counter-Terrorism Working Group (CTWG) meeting, held in New Delhi on December 4-5.

Delivering the keynote address, Ambassador Sibi George, Secretary (West) in the Ministry of External Affairs, said the Quad must “forge a common and uncompromising resolve to defeat the scourge of terrorism.”

He urged partners to work toward a “more resilient, robust and action-oriented” CTWG, adding that India “deeply appreciates the solidarity shown by Quad nations” after the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack.

Senior counterterrorism officials led the delegations, including India’s Vinod Bahade, Australia’s Ambassador Gemma Huggins, Japan’s Ambassador Hiroyuki Minami, and the US State Department’s Monica Ager Jacobsen.

In a joint statement, the Quad condemned terrorism “in all its forms and manifestations,” including cross-border terrorism.

The four nations also expressed condolences for the 10 November attack near Delhi’s Red Fort.

“The perpetrators, organisers and financiers of this reprehensible act must be brought to justice,” the statement said, urging full cooperation from UN member states.

The meeting featured exchanges on the evolving terror landscape in the Indo-Pacific and discussions on enhanced operational cooperation.

“It is essential that the Indo-Pacific remains open, stable and free from the threats of terrorism,” Japan’s Hiroyuki Minami said during the discussions, according to officials.

A tabletop exercise on counterterror operations in dense urban environments allowed experts to share best practices and identify areas for joint preparedness.

Australia’s Gemma Huggins said the drill highlighted “the need for coordinated, rapid-response capabilities as terror threats become more complex.”