Quad a force for good in Indo-Pacific region: Modi
NEW DELHI: The increased coordination between members of the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue, or Quad, is ensuring peace, prosperity and stability in the Indo-Pacific, and the grouping has a constructive agenda that strengthens its image as a “force for good”, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Tuesday.
In his opening remarks at the second in-person Quad Leaders Summit in Tokyo, Modi said the Quad has made an important place for itself on the global stage in a very short time. “Today, the scope of the Quad has increased and it is more influential,” he said.
“Despite the difficult circumstances of Covid-19, we have increased mutual coordination in several areas such as vaccine delivery, climate action, supply chain resilience, disaster response and economic cooperation,” Modi said, speaking in Hindi.
“This is ensuring peace, prosperity and stability in the IndoPacific region. The Quad is moving forward with a constructive agenda for the Indo-Pacific region. This will continue to strengthen the image of the Quad as a force for good,” he said, flanked by US President Joe Biden, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida.
The mutual trust and determination between the Quad members are giving “democratic forces a new energy and enthusiasm”, Modi noted, adding “at the Quad level, mutual cooperation is encouraging a free, open and inclusive IndoPacific region, which is a shared objective for all of us.”
Unlike the other Quad leaders, Modi made no mention of the Ukraine crisis in his opening remarks.
Differences have emerged among the Quad members over the conflict in Ukraine, with the US, Australia and Japan being extremely critical of Russia’s aggression that has had a major impact on the security architecture of Europe.
India has consistently called for an end to hostilities in Ukraine and a return to diplomacy and dialogue. Ahead of Modi’s visit to Japan for the Quad Summit, foreign secretary Vinay Kwatra said India’s partners appreciated and understood the country’s policy on the Ukraine crisis.
The Quad leaders also warned against attempts to “change the status quo by force” as concerns grow about whether China could invade self-ruled Taiwan.
In his opening remarks, Kishida described the Russian invasion as a “grave incident which has fundamentally shaken the rule of law-based international order we value”, and said the Quad members must ensure there is no repeat in the Indo-Pacific.
He said, “The Russian invasion into Ukraine squarely challenges principles which are
enshrined in the UN Charter. We should never ever allow a similar incident to happen in the Indo-Pacific.”
It is “extremely significant” for the Quad members to get together and show to the international community the solidarity of the four countries and “our firm commitment towards the shared vision of a free and open Indo-Pacific”.
The joint statement made no mention of Russia, or China, but listed a range of activities that Beijing has regularly been accused of in the region.
“We strongly oppose any coercive, provocative or unilateral actions that seek to change the status quo and increase tensions in the area, such as the militarisation of disputed features, the dangerous use of coast guard vessels and maritime militia and efforts to disrupt other countries’ offshore resource exploitation activities,” it said.
The statement said the Quad is committed to cooperation with partners in the region who share the vision of a free and open Indo-Pacific.
“We will champion adherence to international law, particularly as reflected in the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), and the maintenance of freedom of navigation and overflight, to meet challenges to the maritime rules-based order, including in the East and South China Seas,” the statement said.
“We strongly support the principles of freedom, rule of law, democratic values, sovereignty and territorial integrity, peaceful settlement of disputes without resorting to threat or use of force, any unilateral attempt to change the status quo, and freedom of navigation and overflight, all of which are essential to the peace, stability and prosperity of the Indo-Pacific region and to the world,” the joint statement said.
The Quad leaders also expressed concern over the crisis situation in Myanmar and called for the swift restoration of democracy with the urgent implementation of the ASEAN Five-Point Consensus.
“We remain deeply concerned by the crisis in Myanmar, which has caused grave humanitarian suffering and posed challenges to regional stability. We continue to call for the immediate end to violence in Myanmar, the release of all political detainees, including foreigners, engagement in constructive dialogue, humanitarian access, and the swift restoration of democracy,” the statement said.