Blinken Highlights Progress
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken recently announced that the United States, Australia, Bharat, and Japan have made significant progress in promoting a free and open Indo-Pacific region.
He emphasized that this partnership, known as the Quad, has been instrumental in improving internet connectivity, preventing cyber-attacks, and investing in the next generation of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) leaders. Blinken shared these updates in a post on X (formerly Twitter).
Since the Quad Leaders Summit, the U.S., Australia, India, and Japan have made important strides to advance a free and open Indo-Pacific. The Quad has improved internet connectivity in the region, helped prevent cyber attacks, and invested in the next generation of STEM leaders.
— Secretary Antony Blinken (@SecBlinken) May 20, 2024
In 2023, the leaders of the Quad nations—US President Joe Biden, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, and Bharatiya Prime Minister Narendra Modi—met in Hiroshima for the fifth Quad Leaders’ Summit. This gathering reaffirmed their commitment to supporting a stable and prosperous Indo-Pacific that is inclusive and resilient.
The Quad’s agenda addresses a range of regional priorities and challenges. These include health security, climate change, infrastructure, critical and emerging technologies, cybersecurity, humanitarian assistance, disaster relief, space, maritime security, countering disinformation, and counter-terrorism. The group’s efforts are designed to deliver practical and positive outcomes for the Indo-Pacific region.
Recently, Australia’s High Commissioner to Bharat, Philip Green, clarified that there are no plans to expand the Quad’s membership.
Speaking at an event hosted by the Observer Research Foundation (ORF) in New Delhi, Green emphasized the importance of maintaining the current four-member structure. He also highlighted the need for the Quad countries to carefully frame their relations with China and stressed the importance of sovereign decision-making for regional states.
Green underscored that it is crucial for nations in the region to make their own decisions without external coercion. He pointed out that democratically elected leaders, like those of the Solomon Islands, should be free to make choices that are best for their countries.
This emphasis on sovereignty is vital for ensuring that states in the region can pursue their own destinies independently.
Prime Minister Modi on Indo-Pacific Security
In April, interview with Newsweek, Bharatiya Prime Minister Narendra Modi described the Indo-Pacific as the engine of global trade, innovation, and growth. He stressed that the security of this region is vital not only for the Indo-Pacific but for the entire world.
Addressing questions about China and the Quad, Modi stated that the Quad is not aimed against any specific country. Instead, it is a group of like-minded nations working together on a shared positive agenda. He compared the Quad to other international groupings like SCO and BRICS, highlighting their cooperative nature.
The collaboration between the United States, Australia, Bharat, and Japan continues to play a crucial role in fostering a stable and open Indo-Pacific region.
Through various initiatives and a focus on key regional issues, this partnership aims to address the most pressing challenges while promoting cooperation and sovereignty among nations. The Quad’s efforts are geared towards ensuring a secure, prosperous, and resilient Indo-Pacific for all.
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