The “Quad” alliance, which consists of India, Australia, Japan, and the US, expressed their deep concern over the “raging” conflict in Ukraine on Friday. They emphasized that the use or threat of nuclear weapons would be unacceptable and emphasized the need for the rules-based international system to respect each state’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
The Quad Foreign Ministers’ meeting took place here on the sidelines of the high-level 78th session of the UN General Assembly, and participants were External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong, and Japanese Foreign Minister Kamikawa Yoko.
A joint summary of the Quad Foreign Ministers meeting said that the Quad group reiterated its unshakable support for the United Nations, the continuing significance of preserving mutually decided rules, norms, and standards, and to enhance Quad collaboration in the international system.
The Quad without mentioning Russia voiced “deep concern over the war raging in Ukraine and mourned its terrible and tragic humanitarian consequences,” according to the Joint Readout of the Quad Foreign Ministers’ Meeting.
The group of four nations emphasized the need for an all-encompassing, fair, and long-lasting peace in Ukraine in line with international law and the tenets of the UN Charter.
“We are very worried about the state of global food security and support the UN’s attempts to restart the Black Sea Grain Initiative (BSGI) in this regard. We agree that the use or threat of nuclear weapons would be unacceptable in the circumstances of this conflict, according to the joint readout.
The joint statement included a subtly pointed allusion to China and Russia by saying, “We emphasize that the rules-based international order must protect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all nations.
The Quad also reaffirmed its support for a UN that “safeguards our shared and interconnected resources” and addresses the significant problems of “our time.”
The ministers declared their commitment to pushing a thorough agenda for UN reform, notably by increasing the number of permanent and non-permanent members on the UN Security Council.
“We need a more representative, open, efficient, and trustworthy UN Security Council. We stress the need to combat efforts to undermine the international order, including those inside the UN, and to advance accountability,” they stated.
The ministers also talked about the recent Consequence Management Exercise of the Quad Counterterrorism Working Group, which looked at the resources and assistance the Quad countries could provide to regional allies in the event of a terrorist attack. They also looked forward to the upcoming Quad Counterterrorism Working Group meeting and tabletop exercise in Honolulu, Hawaii in December, which will concentrate on preventing the use of emerging technologies by terrorists.
They said, “We continue to work together to combat the use of the internet and other technologies by terrorists and violent extremists.”
In a covert reference to Pakistan, the four countries declared their commitment to combating terrorism in all of its expressions and forms, including by obstructing terrorists’ cross-border travel and terrorism funding networks.
“We stressed the need for a comprehensive and balanced approach to effectively curb terrorist activities through the entire nation and whole of the international community efforts,” they stated.
In defiance of many UN Security Council resolutions (UNSCRs), Quad denounced North Korea’s destabilizing tests utilizing ballistic missile technology and its ongoing pursuit of nuclear weapons.
The ministers encouraged North Korea to uphold all of its commitments under the UNSCRs and engage in meaningful engagement as they reiterated their commitment to the total denuclearization of North Korea in accordance with UNSCRs.
We urge all UN Member States to abide by the relevant UNSCRs, in particular the ban on the transfer of any arms to North Korea or the purchase of such items from North Korea, and we emphasize the significance of addressing the proliferation of nuclear and missile technologies related to North Korea in the region and beyond. We reiterate the need for a rapid solution to the kidnappings problem,” they stated.
The organisation said that the political, humanitarian, and economic crises in Myanmar continue to gravely alarm it.
It once again demanded an end to all forms of violence, the immediate release of everyone wrongfully incarcerated, unimpeded humanitarian aid, a peaceful diplomatic settlement to the situation, and a continuation of Myanmar’s transition to an inclusive federal democracy.
“We are also worried about how the current situation in Myanmar may affect other nations, especially if there would be an increase in transnational crime like drug and people trafficking. We reiterate our steadfast support for the ASEAN Five-Point Consensus and ASEAN-led initiatives. We also keep on the international community to cooperate in a practical and helpful manner to assist an end to the bloodshed in Myanmar, the statement added.
The ministers declared their intention to personally meet in the 2024 Quadrennial Foreign Ministers’ Meeting to be held in Japan.