Foreign ministers of India, Australia, US and Japan meet amid LAC pullback

The foreign ministers of India, Australia, the US and Japan (Quad) met virtually on Thursday amid the disengagement process along LAC in eastern Ladakh. External affairs minister S Jaishankar, his counterparts Marise Payne (Australia), Toshimitsu Motegi (Japan) and Antony Blinken (US) highlighted their shared attributes — political democracy, market economy and pluralistic society.

They accepted that the changes around the world made a strong case for Quad nations to work together, officials said, adding: “It was important for the international community that the direction of changes remains positive and beneficial to all.”

The ministers emphasised their commitment to upholding a rules-based international order, underpinned by respect for territorial integrity and sovereignty, rule of law, transparency, freedom of navigation in the international seas and peaceful resolution of disputes, officials said.


They reiterated their vision for a free, open and inclusive Indo-Pacific, with support for Asean cohesion and centrality. It was noted that the Indo-Pacific concept was gaining global support, including in Europe, officials said. The ministers also discussed efforts to combat Covid-19. India’s efforts at providing vaccines to 74 countries was appreciated.