Quad here to stay, here to do, here to grow:Dr. S Jaishankar at key meet

Quad here to stay, here to do, here to grow:Dr. S Jaishankar at key meet

It is only Quad nations’ collaboration that can ensure that the Indo-Pacific remains free, open, stable and secure as the world grapples with the key question of upholding a rules-based order, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said on Monday, amidst growing concerns about China’s maritime coercion.

In his opening statement at the Quad Foreign Ministers Meeting here, Jaishankar said Quad members have significant additional responsibilities.

“As political democracies, pluralistic societies and market economies, there is the key question of upholding a rules-based order,” he said.

Australia, India, Japan, and the United States are members of the Quad grouping.

“It is only our collaboration that can ensure that the Indo-Pacific remains free, remains open, stable, secure, prosperous,” he added.

The commitment to doing global good Quad nations have undertaken has a resonance far beyond this region, he said.

“It is therefore essential that our political understanding strengthens, our economic partnerships grow, technology collaborations expand and our people-to-people comfort intensifies. Our meeting should send a clear message that the quad is here to stay, here to do and here to grow,” he said.