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‘India a critical, great power’

Australian Foreign Minister opined that India is a critical power, great power in the region that there is no reshaping of the Indo-Pacific without India…reports Asian Lite News

Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong on Friday lauded India as a “critical, great power” and said the country’s civilisation prowess brought a fresh perspective on dealing with current issues.

Wong participated in the Quad Foreign Ministers’ meeting presided by External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on the sidelines of Raisina Dialogue 2023 held in the national capital Delhi. Japanese foreign minister Yoshimasa Hayashi and US Secretary of State Antony Blinken were the other participants who attended the meeting of the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (Quad) grouping.

“India is a critical power, great power in the region that there is no reshaping of the Indo-Pacific without India. We’ve seen that India is a civilisational power that brings a different perspective to some of the challenges of these time,” said Wong while replying to President of Observer Research Foundation (ORF) Samir Saran on Australia’s assessment of India’s growth.

Saran moderated the discussion on “The Quad Squad: Power and Purpose of the Polygon.”

Wong also explained how Quad can be a complimentary actor in Indo-Pacific.

“The complementarity of this configuration with the architecture of the region, I think is demonstrated from the Australian perspective by our geography and by our interest,” said the Australian FM.

Wong said that in terms of geography, Australia is the smallest economy, most southernmost economy, abounded on one side by the Indian Ocean, the other side by the Pacific, ASEAN, and particularly the northern countries of ASEAN.

“So for us, our interest lies in a world which is being reshaped, the region which is being reshaped — looking through this and the architecture of the region which I describe stable, peaceful, secure and respect the sovereignty. So our geography and our interest lead to a complementarity. I also believe there is tangible complementarity in the sense that there are things we engage — Pacific Islands nations, and countries of the ASEAN region and they are all aligned with our interest in economic involvement, prosperity, stability and protection of sovereignty,” said Wong.

Jaishankar, Secretary of State Antony Blinken, Japanese Foreign Minister Yoshimasa Hayashi, and Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong attended the Raisina Dialogue 2023 in Delhi organised by the Ministry of External Affairs and the ORF.

Earlier Blinken recognized that the Indo-Pacific region will shape the trajectory of the world in the 21st century.

“Good to break bread with my Quad colleagues in New Delhi today. Together, we recognize the Indo-Pacific region will shape the trajectory of the world in the 21st century and are committed to safeguarding its peace, stability, and growing prosperity,” tweeted Blinken ahead of the Quad meeting. (ANI)

ALSO READ: Australia hails partnership with India

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QUAD bats for UNSC expansion

New Delhi, Mar 03 (ANI): External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar in a conversation with Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong, United States Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Japan Foreign Minister Yoshimasa Hayashi at the Quad Foreign Ministers' Meet on the sidelines of the Raisina Dialogue 2023, in New Delhi on Friday. (ANI Photo)

QUAD ministers reiterated their unwavering support for the comprehensive reform agenda, including expansion in permanent and non-permanent seats of the UN Security Council….reports Asian Lite News

The Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (Quad) on Friday reiterated its support for the UN Charter, including the expansion of permanent and non-permanent seats of the 15-member world body.

The Quad Foreign Ministers carried out a comprehensive review of various issues, ranging from Indo-Pacific to ASEAN in a meeting presided by External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar. Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong, Japanese Yoshimasa Hayashi and US State Department Secretary Antony Blinken attended the meeting held at the sidelines of the Raisina Dialogue 2023 here today.

Talking about the reforms in United Nations Security Council, the Quad foreign ministers said, “We concur that the rules-based international order is anchored in international law, including the UN Charter, and the principles of sovereignty, political independence, and territorial integrity of all states. We are committed to cooperating to address attempts to unilaterally subvert the UN and international system, in consultation with our partners and through multilateral and international platforms,” the statement read.

New Delhi, Mar 03 (ANI): External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar in a conversation with Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong, United States Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Japan Foreign Minister Yoshimasa Hayashi at the Quad Foreign Ministers’ Meet on the sidelines of the Raisina Dialogue 2023, in New Delhi on Friday. (ANI Photo)

“We reiterate our unwavering support for the UN Charter, including its three pillars, and our steadfast commitment to strengthening the UN and international system through a comprehensive reform agenda, including through expansion in permanent and non-permanent seats of the UN Security Council. In this regard, we commit to active and constructive engagement in the Inter-Governmental Negotiations (IGN) process on Security Council Reforms with an overall objective of making the UN Security Council more effective, representative, and credible,” it added.

In September last year, a joint statement was issued following a meeting of Quad foreign ministers in New York on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly committed towards expanding the UNSC. That meeting was attended by Penny Wong of Australia, S Jaishankar of India, Hayashi Yoshimasa of Japan and US Secretary of State Antony Blinken.

Meanwhile, the eighth edition of the Raisina Dialogue, from March 2-4, was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday and chief guest, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni delivered the keynote speech.

The meeting came a day after foreign ministers of the G-20 countries met in Delhi under India’s presidency.

Quad also reaffirmed its steadfast commitment to supporting a free and open Indo-Pacific and strongly supported the peaceful settlement of disputes without resorting to threats or use of force and freedom of navigation and overflight.

New Delhi, Mar 03 (ANI): External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong, United States Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Japan Foreign Minister Yoshimasa Hayashi at the Quad Foreign Ministers’ Meet on the sidelines of the Raisina Dialogue 2023, in New Delhi on Friday. (ANI Photo)

“Our meeting today reaffirms the Quad’s steadfast commitment to supporting a free and open Indo-Pacific, which is inclusive and resilient. We strongly support the principles of freedom, rule of law, sovereignty and territorial integrity, peaceful settlement of disputes without resorting to threat or use of force and freedom of navigation and overflight and oppose any unilateral attempt to change the status quo, all of which are essential to the peace, stability and prosperity of the Indo-Pacific region and beyond,” according to the statement released by Quad.

These statements came against the backdrop of growing China’s assertiveness in the region.

The conference, organised under the theme ‘Provocation, Uncertainty, Turbulence: Lighthouse in the Tempest?’, is witnessing the participation of representatives from over 100 countries. (ANI)

ALSO READ: QUAD to stem terrorism, sets up Working Group

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India a driving force of Quad, says US

Pierre said the Joe Biden administration will continue to build a strategic partnership in which the United States and India will work together to promote stability in South Asia…reports Asian Lite News

The United States has said that India is a driving force of the Quad and an engine for regional growth, days after the fourth meeting of the strategic security bloc was held in Australia’s Melbourne.

External affairs minister S Jaishankar led the Indian side during the Quad meeting held on February 11, while the US was represented by Secretary of State Tony Blinken. The Quad or Quadrilateral Security Dialogue comprises India, the US, Japan and Australia.

“We recognise that India is a like-minded partner and leader in South Asia and the Indian Ocean, active in and connected to Southeast Asia, a driving force of the Quad, and an engine for regional growth and development,” Karine Jean-Pierre, the principal deputy press secretary of the White House, told reporters in Washington on Monday.

Pierre said the Joe Biden administration will continue to build a strategic partnership in which the United States and India will work together to promote stability in South Asia, collaborate in new areas of cyberspace, health. She added that both countries will also work together towards a free and open Indo-Pacific.

On February 11, the United States released its new Indo-Pacific strategy, where it recognised the increasing challenge posed by China’s aggression in the Indo-Pacific along with India’s centrality in the region.

The recent Quad summit discussed the India-China relations which have taken a sour turn ever since the border skirmishes in 2020.

Jaishankar has blamed Beijing for the current situation at the Line of Actual Control (LAC) due to the disregard of written agreements.

“Yes, we (Quad) had a discussion on India-China relations because it was part of how we briefed each other about what was happening in our neighbourhood. And it’s an issue in which a lot of countries legitimately take an interest, particularly if they are from the Indo-Pacific region,” Jaishankar said.

Referring to China, Jaishankar added that when a large country disregards written commitments, it is an issue of a legitimate concern for the entire international community.

ALSO READ: China sees an unrelenting Quad

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Jaishankar due in Melbourne for Quad meet

Dr S. Jaishankar

Jaishankar will be paying an official visit to Australia from February 10-13 at the invitation of his Australian counterpart Marise Payne….reports Asian Lite News

External Affairs Minister (EAM) S Jaishankar will participate in the 4th Quad Foreign Ministers’ meeting on February 11 in Melbourne, along with the Foreign Ministers of Australia, Japan and the United States, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) informed on Wednesday.

Jaishankar will be paying an official visit to Australia from February 10-13 at the invitation of his Australian counterpart Marise Payne.

The MEA release said that this will be his first visit as External Affairs Minister to Australia. It would be the first high-level visit to Australia from India after the opening of its borders which were closed following the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic.

“It will be an opportunity for the Ministers to follow up on their virtual meeting held in February 2021 and exchange views on regional strategic issues given their shared vision of a free, open and inclusive Indo-Pacific region. The Ministers will review ongoing Quad cooperation and build on the positive and constructive agenda announced by the Leaders at the two Summits in 2021, to address contemporary challenges such as the COVID pandemic, supply chains, critical technologies, climate change, infrastructure etc,” the MEA said.

EAM and Australian Foreign Minister will co-chair the 12th Foreign Ministers’ Framework Dialogue on February 12. The Ministers will review the progress of the India-Australia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership and discuss bilateral, multilateral and regional issues of mutual interest.

On the same day, EAM will co-chair the inaugural Foreign Ministers’ Cyber Framework Dialogue (FMCFD) with Australian Foreign Minister Marise Payne.

The Ministers will assess the progress made towards implementation of the India-Australia Framework Arrangement on Cyber and Cyber-Enabled Critical Technology Cooperation and the subsidiary Plan of Action which they signed in June 2020 on the sidelines of the Virtual Leaders’ Summit held between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison.

Meetings for EAM are also scheduled with Australian political leaders, academics and businesses, as well as the Indian diaspora and students.

Jaishankar would also be on a bilateral visit to the Philippines from February 13-15. This will be his first visit to the Philippines as External Affairs Minister. (ANI)

ALSO READ: India took a leadership role during pandemic: Modi
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Quad Countries Launch Infrastructure Coordination Group

Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, US President Joe Biden, Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison after the Quad Leader's Summit in Washington.

The group will meet regularly to share assessments of regional infrastructure needs and coordinate respective approaches to deliver transparent, high-standards infrastructure, reports Asian Lite News

Building on existing leadership from Quad partners on high-standards infrastructure, a senior Quad infrastructure coordination group has been launched by the partner countries, said a White House statement.

The group will meet regularly to share assessments of regional infrastructure needs and coordinate respective approaches to deliver transparent, high-standards infrastructure, the statement said on Friday (local time).

It will also coordinate technical assistance and capacity-building efforts, including with regional partners, “to ensure our efforts are mutually” reinforcing and complementary in meeting the significant infrastructure demand in the Indo-Pacific, it added.

Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, US President Joe Biden, Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison during the Quad Leader’s Summit in Washington.

Apart from it, the Quad countries have been building quality infrastructure in the Indo-Pacific region.

“Quad partners are leaders in building quality infrastructure in the Indo-Pacific region. Our complementary approaches leverage both public and private resources to achieve maximum impact,” it said further.

“Since 2015, Quad partners have provided more than 48 billion dollars in official finance for infrastructure in the region. This represents thousands of projects, including capacity-building, across more than 30 countries in support of rural development, health infrastructure, water supply and sanitation, renewable power generation (e.g., wind, solar, and hydro), telecommunications, road transportation, and more. Our infrastructure partnership will amplify these contributions and further catalyze private-sector investment in the region,” added the statement.

US President Joe Biden hosted Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga at the White House for the first time in-person Leaders’ Summit of the Quad.

The leaders have put forth ambitious initiatives that deepen the ties and advance practical cooperation on 21st-century challenges, by ending the COVID-19 pandemic, including by increasing production and access to safe and effective vaccines, promoting high-standards infrastructure, combatting the climate crisis, partnering on emerging technologies, space, and cybersecurity, and cultivating next-generation talent in all of the countries. (ANI)

ALSO READ – Quad Leaders Pledge To Work For Peace, Prosperity In Indo-Pacific

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First in-person Quad summit in Washington on Sep 24

The four leaders would discuss deepening their ties and advancing practical cooperation on areas like combatting Covid-19, addressing the climate crisis and promoting a free and open Indo-Pacific, reports Asian Lite News

US President Joe Biden would host the first-ever in-person Quad summit on September 24 which will be attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Prime Minister Scott Morrison of Australia and Japanese premier Yoshihide Suga, the White House announced on Monday.

The four leaders would discuss deepening their ties and advancing practical cooperation on areas like combatting COVID-19, addressing the climate crisis and promoting a free and open Indo-Pacific, the White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki said.

In March, President Biden hosted the first-ever summit of the Quad leaders in the virtual format that vowed to strive for an Indo-Pacific region that is free, open, inclusive, anchored by democratic values, and unconstrained by coercion, sending a subtle message to China.

“President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. will host the first-ever Quad Leader’s Summit at the White House on September 24. President Biden is looking forward to welcoming to the White House Prime Minister Scott Morrison of Australia, Prime Minister Narendra Modi of India, and Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga of Japan,” Psaki said.

The Biden-Harris administration has made elevating the Quad a priority, as seen through the first-ever Quad Leaders-level engagement in March, which was virtual, and now this Summit, which will be in-person, she said.

“Hosting the leaders of the Quad demonstrates the Biden-Harris administration’s priority of engaging in the Indo-Pacific, including through new multilateral configurations to meet the challenges of the 21st century,” she said.

According to the White House, the Quad Leaders will be focused on deepening their ties and advancing practical cooperation on areas such as combatting COVID-19, addressing the climate crisis, partnering on emerging technologies and cyberspace and promoting a free and open Indo-Pacific.

The Quad summit will take place amidst China’s aggressive behaviour in the resource-rich South China Sea.

Beijing claims almost all of the 1.3 million square mile South China Sea as its sovereign territory. China has been building military bases on artificial islands in the region also claimed by Brunei, Malaysia, the Philippines, Taiwan and Vietnam.

In November 2017, India, Japan, the US and Australia gave shape to the long-pending proposal of setting up the Quad to develop a new strategy to keep the critical sea routes in the Indo-Pacific free of any influence.

Biden, who is pushing big infrastructure spending at home, said in March he had suggested to British Prime Minister Boris Johnson that democratic countries should have an infrastructure plan to rival China’s massive Belt and Road Initiative, which involves projects from East Asia to Europe. read more

Psaki said the Quad Leaders would “be focused on deepening our ties and advancing practical cooperation on areas such as combating COVID-19, addressing the climate crisis, partnering on emerging technologies and cyberspace, and promoting a free and open Indo-Pacific.”

A senior U.S. official said infrastructure would be among a range of topics discussed at the in-person summit.

The Quad meeting will come after Biden’s image has taken a battering over the chaotic U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan. U.S. officials have said ending America’s longest war will allow the administration to divert resources and attention to tackling China-related issues. read more

Senator Bill Hagerty, a Republican, and former U.S. ambassador to Japan, welcomed the plan to host the Quad leaders.

“Biden’s Afghanistan withdrawal debacle made India’s neighborhood more dangerous & raises legitimate questions for Japan and Australia as well, so it’s good we will be hosting Quad partners soon,” he said on Twitter.

“We must repair & renew our alliances, and this one is key.”

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