Quad Champions Free Indo-Pacific, Condemns Coercion and Terrorism

The Quad nations—India, the U.S., Japan, and Australia—have jointly denounced terrorism and coercive actions in the Indo-Pacific. They emphasized maintaining global trade routes and backed peaceful maritime dispute resolutions. Condemnation of specific terror attacks and support for regional organizations were also expressed.

The Quad alliance, consisting of India, the United States, Japan, and Australia, issued a robust joint statement on Tuesday, forcefully denouncing terrorism and cautioning against 'coercive' maneuvers in the Indo-Pacific. The statement emphasizes the collective opposition to disruptions in global maritime trade routes, such as toll impositions in the Strait of Hormuz.

Reaffirming their commitment to a 'free and open Indo-Pacific,' the Quad stressed the critical role of international law and peaceful dispute resolution in ensuring regional peace, stability, and prosperity. The group condemned destabilizing actions in maritime territories and underlined the importance of the uninterrupted flow of commerce through strategic waterways.

Expressing concerns over developments in the East and South China Seas, the Quad spotlighted 'dangerous and coercive actions' and called for peaceful resolution of maritime disputes, citing the 2016 arbitral tribunal ruling on the South China Sea as a pivotal benchmark. The statement also addressed terrorism, condemning attacks such as those in Pahalgam and Bondi Beach, advocating for sustained global anti-terrorism efforts.