Quad supports implementation of ASEAN Outlook on Indo-Pacific

New Delhi: The Quad on Wednesday announced its support for the practical implementation of the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific (AOIP) through cooperation on maritime and transnational security, economic prosperity and security, critical and emerging technologies, and humanitarian assistance and emergency response, seeking to garner the regional grouping's support for Quad's efforts to ensure a stable Indo-Pacific region in the backdrop of China's ambitions.

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, Australian FM Penny Wong, Japanese FM Toshimitsu Motegi and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio met in Manila on the sidelines of ASEAN meetings and issued a joint press release on cooperation with ASEAN.

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This was the key outcome of the Quad meeting amid ASEAN's long-standing demand for a central role in Quad's Indo-Pacific outreach in return for backing its goals. ASEAN has maintained that Quad has not recognised ASEAN centrality even as it has sought the grouping's support for its goals.

Following the meeting, Quad said it is united in its conviction that peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific maritime domain underpin the security and prosperity of the region. "As ASEAN Comprehensive Strategic Partners, we, the Secretary of State of the US and the foreign ministers of Australia, India and Japan, met today in Manila to reaffirm our commitment to strengthening a free and open Indo-Pacific and our unwavering support for ASEAN unity and centrality," according to the joint press release. "We are deeply invested in the region's success and in cooperating with ASEAN and its member states.

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We discussed regional challenges and opportunities to strengthen our support for the practical implementation of the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific through our shared priorities of maritime and transnational security, economic prosperity and security, critical and emerging technologies, and humanitarian assistance and emergency response," the Quad statement said.

Addressing the ASEAN-India Foreign Ministers' Meeting, Jaishankar said, "For India, ASEAN centrality is a key principle. One example of the way that is working is the manner in which ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific measures with India's Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative.

Meanwhile, Jaishankar and Rubio met on the sidelines of Quad meeting and discussed finalising key defence agreements in fulfilment of commitments made by President Donald Trump and PM Narendra Modi last year, according to a US readout. Rubio and Jaishankar also agreed on the importance of finalising the interim trade deal, which is almost complete, the US readout said.