Quad renews pledge towards working for free, stable Indo-Pacific
The Hindu
Quad nations renew commitment to free and open Indo-Pacific, emphasizing peace, stability, and prosperity against China's influence.
India and other Quad member nations on Tuesday (December 31, 2024) renewed their firm commitment to work towards a free and open Indo-Pacific that is peaceful, stable and prosperous.
The Foreign Ministers of the member nations of the grouping made the pledge in a joint statement commemorating the 20th anniversary of Quad cooperation.
The Foreign Ministers said the Quad will work together in responding to the future needs of the Indo-Pacific, an assertion that came against the backdrop of China's increasing muscle-flexing in the region.
India, the US, Australia and Japan came together 20 years ago to extend assistance in response to the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami. The coalition is now known as Quad.
"As four partners, we share a vision of a free and open Indo-Pacific that is peaceful, stable and prosperous, underpinned by effective regional institutions," the joint statement said.
The Quad Foreign Ministers also talked about the centrality of the 10-nation grouping Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in the Indo-Pacific.
"We reaffirm our unwavering support for ASEAN's centrality and unity as well as mainstreaming and implementation of the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific," the Ministers said.
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