Addressing the summit, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said Quad’s “constructive agenda” will enhance its image as a force for good and that their mutual trust and determination gave new energy and enthusiasm to the democratic forces.
In remarks to China, the Quad said in a joint statement that it will uphold respect for international law and uphold freedom of navigation and overflight, to meet the challenges of the rules-based maritime order. , including in the East and South China Seas. “We strongly oppose any coercive, provocative or unilateral action aimed at altering the status quo and increasing tensions in the region, such as the militarization of contested elements, the dangerous use of coast guard vessels and maritime militias, and efforts to disrupt other countries’ offshore resource exploitation activities,” he said, in more strident language than has been used in the past.
According to Japan, Chinese and Russian bombers flew over the Sea of Japan during the summit. While the “tragic humanitarian crisis” in Ukraine, and its likely implications for the Indo-Pacific, was discussed at the meeting, India’s differences with other Quad members on the issue meant it was not There was no condemnation, or even mention, of Russia in the joint statement. The declaration merely emphasizes “unequivocally” that the centerpiece of the international order is international law, including the Charter of the United Nations, respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all States. President Biden and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida have both condemned Russia’s actions, with the former calling it a dark hour in “our shared history” and the latter saying it was important for Quad to talk about a single voice and display a strong commitment to the shared vision of a free and open Indo-Pacific.
Importantly for India, Quad leaders denounced the use of terrorist proxies and stressed the importance of denying any logistical, financial or military support to terrorist groups who could be used to launch or plan terrorist attacks, including including “cross-border attacks”. “We reiterate our condemnation of the terrorist attacks, including the 26/11 attacks in Mumbai and Pathankot. We reaffirm that in our fight against global terrorism, we will take concerted action against all terrorist groups, including individuals and entities designated pursuant to UNSC resolution 1267 (1999),” the statement said. Terrorist groups like LeT and JeM, based in Pakistan, are banned under the same resolution.
In a major announcement meant to secure “tangible benefits” for the region, the Quad said it would seek to expand more than $50 billion in infrastructure assistance and investment across the Indo-Pacific, over the course of of the next five years. Foreign Secretary Vinay Kwatra said it will be used for demand-side infrastructure and will not lead to any “unsustainable project mix”.
“ We will strive to build the capacity of countries that need it to deal with debt problems within the framework of the common G20 framework and by promoting debt sustainability and transparency in close collaboration with the countries’ financial authorities concerned, including through the “Quad Debt Management Resource Portal,” which consists of multiple bilateral and multilateral capacity building assistance, Quad executives said, as China’s BRI comes under scrutiny international for irresponsible lending.
The group said it welcomed the progress made in expanding production of J&J vaccines at the E Biological Facility in India under the Quad Vaccine Partnership and called for the grant of EUL approvals from the WHO for the same. The vaccine initiative was delayed in the absence of the necessary approvals.