US-led Quad vows to make Indo-Pacific region ‘more resilient for 21st century’

ISTANBUL – The US, Australia, India, and Japan have voiced “strong support” for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all states and peaceful settlement of disputes “without resorting to threat or use of force, any unilateral attempt to change the status quo.”

In a joint statement released by the White House, the leaders of the US-led Quadrilateral Security Dialogue alliance vowed to make the Indo-Pacific region “more resilient for the 21st century.”

Under its new Asia policy, the US uses “Indo-Pacific” to refer to the wider Asia-Pacific region.

US President Joe Biden, along with the premier of Japan Fumio Kishida, Australia’s Anthony Albanese and India’s Narendra Modi, met in the Japanese capital in their second in-person summit that coincided Biden’s first tour of Asia.

This was the fourth meeting of the lose security alliance, also known as the Quad, aimed at containing China’s expanding economic and military influence in the region.

For its part, China has maintained its opposition against actions targeting third parties in the Asia-Pacific, saying such steps would be “doomed to fail.”

The leaders declared that the Quad is “a force for good, committed to bringing tangible benefits to the region.”

“With the COVID-19 pandemic still inflicting human and economic pain around the world, tendencies for unilateral actions among states and a tragic conflict raging in Ukraine, we are steadfast,” the statement said.

‘Decisive action’

In its statement, the Quad pledged to take “decisive action” to “strongly support the principles of freedom, rule of law, democratic values, sovereignty and territorial integrity, peaceful settlement of disputes without resorting to threat or use of force, any unilateral attempt to change the status quo, and freedom of navigation and overflight.”

The statement said these were “essential to the peace, stability and prosperity of the Indo-Pacific region and to the world.”

“We reaffirm our resolve to uphold the international rules-based order where countries are free from all forms of military, economic and political coercion.”

On Ukraine, the statement said, the Quad members discussed their “respective responses to the conflict” and assessed its implications for the Indo-Pacific.”

However, it stopped short of a specific response to Russia over its war on Ukraine.

Barring India, all Quad members have condemned Russia for its war on Ukraine and have imposed punishing sanctions on Moscow. New Delhi is currently engaged in a long-term partnership with Russia, cemented by arms and energy supplies.

“We also emphasized that all countries must seek peaceful resolution of disputes in accordance with international law,” the joint statement said.

On maritime violations in the South and East China Sea, the Quad called for adherence to international law, particularly the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), and the maintenance of freedom of navigation and overflight.

“We strongly oppose any coercive, provocative or unilateral actions that seek to change the status quo and increase tensions in the area, such as the militarization of disputed features, the dangerous use of coast guard vessels and maritime militia, and efforts to disrupt other countries’ offshore resource exploitation activities,” it added.

Condemnation of North Korea

Calling for the complete denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula, the Quad members also urged the immediate resolution of the issue of Japanese abductees allegedly held by North Korea.

“We also condemn North Korea’s destabilizing ballistic missile development and launches, including multiple intercontinental ballistic missile tests,” the leader said, urging Pyongyang to “abide by all of its obligations” under the UN resolutions and “refrain from provocations, and engage in substantive dialogue.”

On Myanmar, they expressed “deep concern” over the “grave humanitarian suffering” which pose challenges to regional stability. The Southeast Asian country was the scene of a military coup early last year, followed by mass civil unrest and a crackdown by security forces. Rohingya refugees from Myanmar continue to suffer in refugee camps, unable to return in safety.

“We continue to call for the immediate end to violence in Myanmar, the release of all political detainees, including foreigners, engagement in constructive dialogue, humanitarian access, and the swift restoration of democracy,” it said, reaffirming its support for efforts to seek a solution in Myanmar led by the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).

The Quad leaders also asserted that Afghanistan “must never again be used to threaten or attack any country or to shelter or train terrorists, or to plan or finance terrorist attacks.”

“We emphasize the importance of upholding international standards on anti-money laundering and combating the financing of terrorism by all countries, consistent with FATF (Financial Action Task Force) recommendations,” it added.