Ukraine, Indo-Pacific, Southeast Asia Topped Quad Agenda; PM Modi Called for ‘Concrete Forms of Cooperation’

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday took part in a virtual meeting of Quad leaders, which was also attended by US President Joe Biden, Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison and Japanese PM Fumio Kishida. The Russia-Ukraine situation was discussed at the meeting, with the leaders deliberating on the recent developments as well as the humanitarian implications. “The Prime Minister emphasised the need to return to a path of dialogue and diplomacy,” according to a government statement.

This apart, PM Modi “underlined that the Quad must remain focused on its core objective of promoting peace, stability and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region”. “He called for concrete and practical forms of cooperation within the Quad, in areas like Humanitarian and Disaster Relief, debt sustainability, supply chains, clean energy, connectivity, and capacity-building,” the statement added.

At the meeting, the leaders also discussed other topical issues, including situations in Southeast Asia, the Indian Ocean region and the Pacific Islands. “Prime Minister reiterated the importance of adhering to the UN Charter, international law and respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity,” the statement said.

Following the meeting, US President Biden took to Twitter to underscore the importance of “our commitment to sovereignty and territorial integrity around the world, including in the Indo-Pacific”.

PM Modi also tweeted: “Participated in a productive virtual Quad Leaders’ meeting today with @POTUS @JoeBiden, PM @ScottMorrisonMP and @JPN_PMO Kishida. Reaffirmed our shared commitment to ensuring security, safety and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific.”

The QUAD is a group of four countries — India, the US, Australia and Japan — that share similar attributes of democracy, pluralism and market-based economy and have growing convergences in strategic and security perceptions, especially in the Indo-Pacific region.

“The leaders will have an opportunity to continue their dialogue after the September 2021 Summit in Washington DC. They will exchange views and assessments about important developments in the Indo-Pacific,” the Ministry of External Affairs said in a statement.

The meeting comes against growing tensions over Russia’s escalating attack on Ukraine. India has so far continued to maintain its neutral stance as it again abstained from voting against Russia on a UN General Assembly resolution on Wednesday. This is India’s third abstention in less than a week on Russia’s military offensive in Ukraine.

Despite India’s stand, the UN General Assembly adopted the resolution deploring Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

In the last meet, the four countries pledged to work together for ensuring peace and prosperity of the Indo-Pacific and the world, as top leaders of the Quad grouping announced a slew of new initiatives to take on common challenges, amidst muscle-flexing by an assertive China in the strategic region.

“On the basis of democratic values, Quad with positive ideas and a positive approach is determined to move forward,” Modi had said at the summit.

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