With China in mind, Quad nations call for free and open Ino-Pacific

With an eye on China’s aggressive posturing on maritime issues, the four Quad countries, at their meeting in Manila on the sidelines of ASEAN engagements, on Wednesday reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening a free and open Indo-Pacific and their unwavering support for ASEAN unity and centrality.

The meeting was attended by External Affairs Minister of India S Jaishankar, Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong, Japan Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio.

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In a joint statement, the Quad nations said they are deeply invested in the region’s success and in cooperating with ASEAN and its member states.

‘’We discussed regional challenges and opportunities to strengthen our support for the practical implementation of the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific (AOIP) through our shared priorities of maritime and transnational security, economic prosperity and security, critical and emerging technologies and humanitarian assistance and emergency response,’’ the statement said.

The four nations said they are united in their conviction that peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific maritime domain underpin the security and prosperity of the region.