Senior officials from India, Japan, Australia, and the United States (US), which make up the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (Quad), met virtually on Thursday to discuss global efforts to end the COVID-19 pandemic through vaccine cooperation. They also talked about ways to promote security in the Indo-Pacific and tackle regional challenges together.
The meeting reviewed the progress made towards addressing the COVID-19 pandemic and focused on enhancing vaccine production and equitable access through the Quad Vaccine partnership, announced during the Quad Leaders’ Summit in March. The Indian Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said the officials discussed “the wide-ranging impact of COVID-19 in the Indo-Pacific region, and the importance of collaborative efforts to contain the pandemic, ensure health security and a quick economic recovery.”
In this context, they “acknowledged that global security and prosperity depends on the region remaining inclusive, resilient, and healthy.” Recognising the “immense health and economic toll” of the pandemic, the officials reaffirmed their commitment “to support an open, inclusive and resilient Indo-Pacific.”
The MEA added that officials “discussed issues of common interest and explored possibilities of collaboration in resilient supply chains, emerging and critical technologies, maritime security, cybersecurity, counterterrorism, infrastructure and connectivity, higher education, climate change and humanitarian assistance and disaster relief.”
Moreover, all sides acknowledged the need to promote maritime security. “The officials welcomed the fact that a ‘Free and Open Indo-Pacific’ is a vision for the peace and prosperity of the region, and its importance in the post-COVID world is increasing,” the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated. Furthermore, the US State Department stressed the Quad’s role in “supporting countries vulnerable to coercive actions in the Indo-Pacific region,” a possible reference to Chinese actions in the region.
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According to a statement released by the Australian Foreign Affairs Department, the officials discussed the deteriorating situation in Myanmar, including the country’s COVID-19 crisis and its implications on regional security. “They reiterated calls for an immediate cessation of violence and the release of all those arbitrarily detained,” the statement read, adding that officials “reaffirmed their support for ASEAN-led efforts to chart a course out of the crisis.”
In this regard, the Quad welcomed the appointment of Brunei’s Foreign Minister, Erywan Yusof, as the Special Envoy of the ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) to Myanmar. The officials also urged the Myanmar junta to engage with the ASEAN on implementing the Five-Point Consensus “fully and swiftly.” ASEAN members reached the Five-Point Consensus regarding Myanmar in April to ensure an end to violence, promote dialogue, and provide humanitarian assistance to the country.
Lastly, the officials “welcomed the opportunity to continue regular consultations at the ministerial, senior official, and working levels” and agreed “to hold an in-person summit by the end of this year, in addition to holding a Foreign Minister’s meeting at least once a year.” Thursday’s meeting was a follow-up to the Quad foreign ministers meeting in February and the historic first Leaders’ Summit held in March.