During a foreign minister-level meeting on Thursday, the Quad alliance unanimously agreed that the “threat of use of nuclear weapons” in the Ukraine conflict is “inadmissible.”
They emphasised the need for a “comprehensive, just, and lasting peace in Ukraine” following international law.
Foreign ministers (FM) of the Quad members — India, US, Japan, and Australia — S. Jaishankar, Antony Blinken, Yoshimasa Hayashi, and Penny Wong participated in the discussions.
Began the day by meeting my Quad counterparts @SenatorWong , Yoshimasa Hayashi and @SecBlinken.
— Dr. S. Jaishankar (@DrSJaishankar) March 3, 2023
Reaffirmed that the Quad is ‘for’, not ‘against’. And for an inclusive,resilient, free and open Indo-Pacific.
Our joint statement: https://t.co/uLPBGYsMZe pic.twitter.com/DjLjZ1DSXK
Denuclearisation of the Korean Peninsula
The joint statement issued following the meeting condemned North Korea’s “destabilising ballistic missile launches,” including the launch on 18 February. To this end, they issued their support for the “complete denuclearisation” of the Korean Peninsula, urging Pyongyang to abide by UN Security Council (UNSC) resolutions.
On Maritime Security in the Indo-Pacific
While lauding the Quad’s “positive and constructive” influence in the Indo-Pacific region, the FMs emphasised the “centrality” of the ASEAN and East Asia Summit in advancing “practical cooperation” in the region. They also expressed their commitment to cooperation between the Quad and the ASEAN Outlook in the Indo-Pacific.
Glad to join today's panel discussion with my fellow Quad foreign ministers at the Raisina Dialogue. The Quad is a vital part of our vision for a #FreeandOpenIndoPacific and today's panel demonstrates the priority we place on working with our partners and allies in the region. pic.twitter.com/hFpMmJ3h9D
— Secretary Antony Blinken (@SecBlinken) March 3, 2023
The Quad FMs highlighted the importance of maritime “peace and security” for the development and growth of the Indo-Pacific.
To this end, they reiterated the importance of adhering to the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) in resolving conflicts in the South and East China Seas.
In a veiled dig at China’s expansionist actions in the region, they opposed “unilateral actions” that “change the status quo” and ignite tensions.
Countering Terrorism
The FMs further condemned “terrorism and violent extremism” and the use of “terrorist proxies.” They emphasised the importance of denying “logistical, financial or military support to terrorist organisations” that launch attacks on other countries.
Quad foreign ministers Joint Statement: https://t.co/5uufSEXyBL pic.twitter.com/acdXv5p6pF
— Sidhant Sibal (@sidhant) March 3, 2023
In a major victory for India’s calls to criticise state-sponsored terrorism in Pakistan, the four FMs specifically reiterated their condemnation of the 26/11 Mumbai attacks, “which claimed lives of citizens from all Quad countries,” and the Pathankot attacks.
Indirectly referencing China’s opposition to India’s call for sanctioning Pakistani terrorists, the joint statement also opposed the politicisation of the UNSC Sanctions Committee.
On the issue of transnational terrorism, the Quad leaders celebrated the Quad Counter-Terrorism Policy Meeting held in Australia in October 2022, which hosted discussions on opposing extremism and terrorism.