Eye on China, Quad vows to stand together for free and open Indo-Pacific: Highlights | India News
Prime Minister Narendra ModiUS President Joe BidenPrime Minister of Japan Fumio Kishida and Anthony Albenese of Australia held wide-ranging discussions with a vision of an increasingly assertive China, which is rapidly building its muscles in the Indo-Thai region. Binh Duong.
The leaders also vowed to work to combat climate change and seek to open up differences on issues related to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
Here are the key highlights from the meeting…
Quad ensures peace in Indo-Pacific: PM Modi
Emphasizing that the scope of the Quad has become vast despite the challenges of Covid-19, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said the mutual trust and determination of the member countries is bringing new energy and enthusiasm. for democratic powers.
In his opening remarks at the summit, Prime Minister Modi said, “The Quad has taken an important place for itself in front of the world in a short period of time. Today, the Quad’s scope of activity has grown. become large, effective form. Our mutual trust, and determination are adding new energy and enthusiasm to the democratic powers.”
The Prime Minister added that the Quad is moving forward with a constructive agenda for the Indo-Pacific.
“At the Quad level, with our mutual cooperation, a free, open and inclusive Indo-Pacific is being promoted – that is the common goal of all of us,” he said. said more.
Russia on the agenda
Aside from talks on an inclusive Indo-Pacific, the Leading Group – especially President Biden – focused heavily on Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, entering its fourth month today.
In his opening remarks to the summit, President Biden vowed that the United States would continue to work with its partners as long as Russia waged its war against Ukraine.
In strong comments against Vladimir Putin, Mr. Biden said that the Russian President was just trying to stamp out a culture in Ukraine.
Biden also warned that the global food crisis could be made worse by Russia blocking Ukraine’s grain exports.
Emphasizing that Washington will stand with “close domestic partners” to promote a free and open Indo-Pacific region, he said: “Russia’s attack on Ukraine only enhances the importance of importance of the goals of the fundamental principles of international order, territorial integrity and sovereignty.”
Meanwhile, Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, in his opening remarks, said Russia’s invasion of Ukraine was a “frontal challenge” to the principles of the United Nations Charter and the like. should never be allowed to happen in the Indo-Pacific.
“A serious incident that has fundamentally shaken the rules-based international order has occurred since we met last September. Russia’s invasion of Ukraine challenges the principles enshrined in the Constitution. chapter of the United Nations. We should never allow a similar incident to happen in the Indo-Pacific region,” Prime Minister Kishida said.
Albanese’s first Four people summit
Attending the first Quad summit a day after taking office, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said his goals align with the priorities of the Quad nations.
Albanese, the leader of the Australian Labor Party who has been sworn in as his country’s 31st prime minister, also said the Quartet stood together for a “free and open Indo-Pacific”.
He also told fellow leaders that Australia wanted to discuss climate change.
On a smaller note, President Biden welcomed Albanese to his first Quartet meeting and quipped about the Australian leader’s rush to join the summit shortly after being sworn in.
“Like I said, you’re on the plane – you’re sworn in and on the plane. So if you fall asleep here, that’s okay, because I don’t know how you’re doing. It’s actually quite unusual – it’s just going out of the way of the campaign trail,” Biden said.
What is Quad?
Officially the Quadrangle Security Dialogue, the Quadrangle began as a loose partnership after the devastating Indian Ocean tsunami of 2004, when four countries worked together to provide humanitarian assistance. disaster and disaster for the affected areas.
It was formalized by former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe in 2007, but then remained dormant for nearly a decade, especially amid Australian concerns that its participation in the group would be offensive. for China.
The group had a resurgence in 2017, reflecting a shift in attitudes in the region toward China’s growing influence.
Both the Trump and Biden administrations see the Quad as key to pivoting to greater focus on the Indo-Pacific region, especially as a counterweight to China’s assertive actions. The Quad leaders held their first official summit in 2021 and met again in March.
(With input from agencies)
