Quad members express strong opposition against unilateral actions in Indo-Pacific
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New York: The Quad grouping said that it strongly opposes any unilateral actions aiming to change the status quo or increase tensions in the Indo-Pacific. The statement from India, Australia, Japan, and the United States was made in reference to China's increasingly intimidating behaviour in the region.
Foreign ministers - Penny Wong of Australia, S Jaishankar of India, Hayashi Yoshimasa of Japan, and US Secretary of State Antony Blinken - met on the sidelines of the 77th UN General Assembly. Quad multilateral cooperation in support of advancing a free and open Indo-Pacific was discussed in the meeting.
A joint readout said that the region should be inclusive and resilient. "The Quad's vision is for a region where the rules-based on international order is upheld, and where the principles of freedom, rule of law, democratic values, peaceful settlement of disputes, sovereignty, and territorial integrity are respected."
It further said the alliance has reaffirmed unwavering support for ASEAN (the Association of Southeast Asian Nations) unity and centrality, ASEAN-led regional architecture, and practical implementation of ASEAN's Outlook on the Indo-Pacific.
Support for the UN Charter and their commitment to strengthening and reforming the UN and international system were also discussed in the meeting. The four nations are also backing the expansion of permanent and non-permanent seats of the UN Security Council so that it reflects "current global realities".
All four ministers agreed to support a UN that "solves the consequential challenges and safeguards interconnected resources." This is in reference to implementing the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, and achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals.
The Quad has signed guidelines to operationalise the Quad Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief Partnership for the Indo-Pacific announced by Quad leaders in May 2022. A counter-terrorism tabletop exercise will be hosted in Australia later this year.
