The Quad members, comprising India, the US, Japan, and Australia, united in condemning terrorism in all its forms during their meeting in New Delhi. They emphasized the need for sustained efforts to combat terrorism globally. The Quad expressed concerns about the rise of online scam centers in Southeast Asia, linking them to various transnational crimes like human trafficking, drug trafficking, and cybercrime.
The Foreign Ministers of the Quad nations announced plans to strengthen cooperation, focusing on law enforcement and regulatory engagement to combat online scam centers and related organized crime. They highlighted the importance of international law in fighting terrorism and called for action against proscribed terrorists, their affiliates, sponsors, and financiers. The ministers reaffirmed their commitment to enhancing partners’ capabilities to prevent, detect, and respond to terrorism threats effectively.
During the meeting, the Quad members reiterated their support for a free and open Indo-Pacific region. They agreed to intensify cooperation and implement concrete initiatives to benefit the Indo-Pacific countries. The joint statement released after the meeting expressed serious concerns about the situations in the East China Sea and the South China Sea. The Quad nations strongly opposed any unilateral actions that could destabilize the region, emphasizing the importance of peace and stability.
The ministers also discussed the developments in West Asia and emphasized the significance of diplomatic efforts. They stressed adherence to international law, particularly the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), to ensure navigational rights and global commerce flow through key waterways like the Strait of Hormuz and the Red Sea. The Quad members condemned attacks on commercial shipping vessels and rejected any measures inconsistent with UNCLOS, including toll imposition.
