Washington/New Delhi, Jan 22 (UNI) External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar attended a productive Quad Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in Washington, a day after the inauguration of the Trump administration, with the talks focusing on deepening the agenda and intensifying the collaboration.
The Quad Foreign Ministers’ Meeting was held on Tuesday with new US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and the other Quad counterparts -- Australian FM Penny Wong and Japanese Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya, besides EAM Jaishankar.
A joint statement issued by the four countries said they look forward to advancing the work of the Quad in the coming months and will meet together on a regular basis to prepare for the next Quad Leaders’ Summit to be hosted by India.
In a post on X, the EAM said the fact that the Quad Foreign Ministers’ meeting was held a day after the swearing-in of the Trump administration signifies the priority the Quad enjoys in the foreign policy of the four member nations.
“Attended a productive Quad Foreign Ministers’ Meeting today in Washington DC. Thank @secrubio for hosting us and FMs @SenatorWong & Takeshi Iwaya for their participation.
“Significant that the Quad FMM took place within hours of the inauguration of the Trump Administration. This underlines the priority it has in the foreign policy of its member states.
“Our wide-ranging discussions addressed different dimensions of ensuring a free, open, stable and prosperous Indo-Pacific.
“Agreed on the importance of thinking bigger, deepening the agenda and intensifying our collaboration.
“The meeting today sends a clear message that in an uncertain and volatile world, the Quad will continue to be a force for global good.”
A joint statement by the four members read:
“We, the Secretary of State of the United States and the Foreign Ministers of Australia, India, and Japan, met today in Washington D.C. to reaffirm our shared commitment to strengthening a Free and Open Indo-Pacific where the rule of law, democratic values, sovereignty, and territorial integrity are upheld and defended.
“Our four nations maintain our conviction that international law, economic opportunity, peace, stability, and security in all domains including the maritime domain underpin the development and prosperity of the peoples of the Indo-Pacific. We also strongly oppose any unilateral actions that seek to change the status quo by force or coercion.
“We are committed to strengthening regional maritime, economic, and technology security in the face of increasing threats, as well as promoting reliable and resilient supply chains. We look forward to advancing the work of the Quad in the coming months and will meet together on a regular basis as we prepare for the next Quad Leaders’ Summit hosted by India.”
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio in a post on X said: “On day one as Secretary of State, I hosted the Foreign Ministers of Australia, India, and Japan for an important meeting of the Quad. We are committed to strengthening economic opportunity and peace and security in the Indo-Pacific region.”
Australian FM Penny Wong in a post said: “Today’s meeting of Quad Foreign Ministers, so early in the Trump Administration’s term, demonstrates our shared determination to work together for a peaceful, stable and prosperous Indo-Pacific region.”
The Japanese Foreign Ministry in a post said the meeting lasted one hour.
“The four ministers of the Quad reaffirmed the importance of the allies and like-minded countries’ coordination and commitment toward the realization of a “Free and Open Indo-Pacific” (FOIP) and that they will further strengthen the cooperation.
“The four ministers held strategic and frank discussions on the situation in the Indo-Pacific region, and confirmed their strong opposition to unilateral attempts to change the status quo by force including in the East and South China Seas", in a reference to China's hegemonistic moves in the region.
"They also discussed the situation surrounding North Korea and Minister Iwaya expressed serious concerns over its nuclear and missile activities and asked for the understanding and cooperation of each country toward the immediate resolution of the abductions issue.
“The four ministers concurred on promoting cooperation to strengthen regional maritime, economic, and technology security.
“The four ministers concurred on holding regular foreign ministers’ meetings as well as preparing for the leaders’ meeting hosted by India.”
UNI RN