QUAD third ministerial meet: Post meet overview
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New Delhi, Feb 20: The third Ministerial meeting of the QUAD grouping was held in the virtual mode on Feb 18, whereby Minister of External Affairs S Jaishankar from India, Secretary of Foreign Affairs Anthony Blinken from USA, Senator Marise Payne from Australia, and Minister of Foreign Affairs Toshimitsu Motegi from Japan had participated. The four Foreign Ministers at the Quad meeting recognized that the changes underway in the world 'make a strong case' for them to work closely together.
The Ministers highlighted their shared attributes as political democracies, market economies and pluralistic societies. They recognized that the changes underway in the world make a strong case for their countries working closely together. It was important for the international community that the direction of changes remains positive and beneficial to all. The Ministers emphasized their commitment to uphold a rules-based international order, underpinned by respect for territorial integrity and sovereignty, rule of law, transparency, freedom of navigation in the international seas and peaceful resolution of disputes.
The productive exchange of views on regional issues included a reiteration of their common vision for a free, open and inclusive Indo-Pacific region, with clear support for ASEAN cohesion and centrality. It was noted that the Indo-Pacific concept had gathered growing international support, including in Europe. Besides, the Ministers discussed QUAD cooperation on COVID 19 response and recovery and climate change. They committed to work together to address global challengesand work to counter disinformation, counter terrorism, maritime security, urgent need to restore the democratically elected govt in Burma, and the priority of strengthening democratic resilience in the broader region.
Japan Foreign Minister Motegi expressed grave concern for the deteriorating situation in Myanmar, and explained that Japan was strongly urging Myanmar military to immediately stop violence against citizens including shootings, release those who have been detained including the State Counsellor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, and swiftly restore Myanmar's democratic political system. The four Ministers shared the view on the need to recover the democratic regime early. Motegi expressed serious concern with regard to the China's Coast Guard Law, and the four Ministers concurred to strongly oppose unilateral and forceful attempts to change the status quo in the context of East and South China Sea. In addition, the four Ministers also exchanged views on regional issues such as North Korea as well as cooperation on global challenges including response to the COVID 19 and climate change.