Quad Foreign Ministers’ Meeting Is Underway In Tokyo

The Quad Foreign Ministers’ meeting is underway in Tokyo. External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar along with his counterparts from Japan, United States of America and Australia are attending the meeting.

In his opening remarks, Dr Jaishankar said, these are not easy times, a major challenge is to ensure global economic growth while also de-risking it. He said, supply chains are a particular focus for resilience, just as we push for trusted and transparent digital partnerships. The External Affairs Minister said, the march of technology has also acquired extraordinary proportions, holding possibilities of the very manner in which people live, think and act. In a sense, the world is in the midst of re-globalisation. He said, it is only the collective endeavours that can prove the international system against man-made or natural disruptions. 

Dr. Jaishankar said, the nations have significant additional responsibilities as well. As political democracies, pluralistic societies and market economies, there is a key question of upholding a rules-based order. He said, it is only the collaboration of Quad that can ensure that the Indo-Pacific remains free, open, stable, secure and prosperous. 

The External Affairs Minister said, the



commitment to doing global good that the member nations have undertaken has a resonance far beyond this region. He said, it is, therefore, essential that the political understanding strengthens, economic partnerships grow, technology collaborations expand and the people-to-people comfort intensifies. 

Dr. Jaishankar said, the meeting should send a clear message that the Quad is here to stay, here to do and here to grow. During the meeting, the Foreign Ministers will take forward discussions held during the last meeting in New York in September last year and will exchange views on developments in the Indo-Pacific region and review progress on Quad initiatives and working groups. The Ministers will discuss regional and international issues, and guide future collaboration to achieve the shared vision of a free and open Indo-Pacific region by addressing contemporary priorities of the region through the delivery of public goods. 

Earlier today, Dr. Jaishankar met his Australian counterpart, Penny Wong. He spoke about further steps to intensify India-Australia bilateral ties including in security, trade and education. They also discussed deepening the practical cooperation across the Indo-Pacific.