External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar emphasized that the collaborative efforts of the Quad nations - India, Japan, the United States, and Australia - are crucial for maintaining a free, open, stable, and secure Indo-Pacific region.
Speaking at the Quad Foreign Ministers Meeting in Tokyo, Jaishankar underscored the importance of the Quad's commitment to global welfare, which resonates beyond the immediate region.
Jaishankar stated, "Our collaboration is key to ensuring that the Indo-Pacific remains free, open, stable, and secure." He highlighted the need for the Quad to strengthen political understanding, grow economic partnerships, expand technological collaborations, and enhance people-to-people connections.
He affirmed that the Quad is "here to stay, here to act, and here to grow."
The Quad was formalized in November 2017, aiming to develop a strategic framework to keep crucial sea routes in the Indo-Pacific free from coercive influences. This region, particularly the South China Sea, is strategically significant as it lies at the crossroads of the Pacific and Indian Oceans.
The South China Sea is a contentious area, with China asserting expansive territorial claims, which are contested by The Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei, and Taiwan.
The Quad's role includes addressing such geopolitical challenges and ensuring that the region remains open and accessible to all nations.