India, 3 Quad Members Hold Talks On Indo-Pacific, Counter-Terrorism

"The four democracies acknowledged that global security and prosperity depends on the region remaining inclusive, resilient, and healthy," US State Department said.

Senior officials of India and three other member nations of the Quad on Thursday held extensive talks on further advancing practical cooperation in areas of infrastructure, maritime security, counter-terrorism and cybersecurity to achieve the goal of a free and open Indo-Pacific. The Japanese foreign ministry said the meeting also reviewed progress in discussions for cooperation in the areas of vaccines, critical and emerging technologies and climate change besides deliberating on the situation in East and South China seas. The US State Department said the officials examined ways to advance ongoing cooperation on numerous topics of mutual interest, including strategic challenges confronting the region, countering disinformation, promoting democracy and human rights, strengthening international institutions and supporting countries vulnerable to coercive actions in the Indo-Pacific. "The four democracies acknowledged that global security and prosperity depends on the region remaining inclusive, resilient, and healthy. They discussed the importance of sustained international cooperation to end the COVID-19 pandemic in the Indo-Pacific and to promote economic recovery," it said.