Quad vows to work towards free, stable Indo-Pacific

Twenty years after India, the US, Australia and Japan first collaborated as an emergency response to the Indian Ocean tsunami, the four nations — now known as the Quadrilateral or Quad — on Tuesday reaffirmed their commitment to addressing the region’s future needs.

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The foreign ministers of the member nations of the grouping made the pledge in a joint statement commemorating the 20th anniversary of “Quad cooperation”.

The four countries came together 20 years ago to extend assistance in response to the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami on December 26 that year, and that coalition subsequently took form of the Quad.

The partnership, which began as a crisis-response mechanism, has since evolved into a comprehensive collaboration delivering tangible benefits for the region.

In the last few years, the Quad has rolled out a number of initiatives addressing some of the most pressing needs and challenges of the Indo-Pacific region, including in areas of maritime security, infrastructure and connectivity.

India is scheduled to host the next Quad Summit that is likely to take place in the second half of 2025.

The statement read: “The Quad is committed to working together in responding to the future needs of the region.”

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar posted on X, stating, “The idea of the Quad began with a shared response to the Indian Ocean tsunami. Today, the Quad stands as a vital force for stability, progress and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific.”

The Quad nations now collaborate with partners across the Indo-Pacific to tackle a wide array of challenges, including climate change, public health crisis, infrastructure development, maritime security, STEM education, counter-terrorism, emerging technologies and cybersecurity.

Since 2021, the leaders of the four countries have convened annually to advance the Quad’s agenda and bolster its contributions to South Asia, Southeast Asia and the Pacific.

The statement said, “As four partners, we share a vision of a free and open Indo-Pacific that is peaceful, stable and prosperous, underpinned by effective regional institutions.”

In diplomatic terms, the phrase “free and open Indo-Pacific” is widely understood as an indirect challenge to China’s dominance in the South China Sea.

The statement also reaffirmed the Quad’s “unwavering support” for ASEAN centrality and unity, along with the implementation of the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific. Additionally, it reiterated the Quad’s respect for Pacific-led regional framework, particularly the Pacific Islands Forum.

As part of their ongoing efforts, the Quad nations are now addressing cybersecurity threats, enhancing cyber resilience and intensifying efforts to combat climate change.