India stays in Quad, but refrains from committing to any move to raise its level

India on Thursday agreed with Japan, Australia and the United States to continue consultation among the four nations within the framework of the ‘Quad’, but refrained from committing itself to any move to elevate the coalition to the level of the Heads of Governments.

The four nations, however, discussed the military coup in Myanmar. India stressed on upholding the rule of law and democratic transition in the South East Asian nation.

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar joined Australian and Japanese Foreign Ministers, Marise Payne and Toshimitsu Motegi, as well as the new US Secretary of State, Antony Blinken, for a ministerial meeting of the ‘Quad’ – a coalition the four democracies revived a few years ago to counter China in Indo-Pacific.

The meeting took place just a day after Foreign Secretary Harsh Shringla called on Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, who had, as recently as in December 2020, denounced the ‘Quad’ as a ‘divisive’ and ‘exclusivist’ tool being used by the US to implement its “devious policy” of engaging New Delhi in games against China as well as to undermine Russia’s close partnership with India.

Also read: UK sanctions Myanmar generals after military coup

Jaishankar, Payne, Motegi and Blinken highlighted shared attributes of India, Japan, Australia and the US as “political democracies, market economies and pluralistic societies”, according to a press-release issued by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) in New Delhi. They recognised that the changes underway in the world makes a strong case for their countries working closely together. It was important for the international community that the direction of changes remains positive and beneficial to all, added the MEA.

The External Affairs Minister and his counterparts from the US, Australia and Japan emphasised commitment of the respective nations 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.

They exchanged views on regional issues, reiterated common vision for a free, open and inclusive Indo-Pacific region, with clear support for the centrality of the ASEAN (Association of South East Asian Nations). It was noted that the Indo-Pacific concept had gathered international support, including in Europe, the MEA spokesperson, Anurag Srivastava, stated in New Delhi.

The ‘Quad’ ministerial meeting on Thursday was the third after the first in New York in September 2019 and the second in Tokyo in October 2020. It was, however, the first after President Joe Biden’s administration took over in the US.

The Biden Administration has already signalled its keenness to strengthen the four-nation coalition by elevating it to the level of the Heads of Governments.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government is cautiously studying the US proposal for holding a summit of the Quad Heads of Governments, factoring in its implication on India’s relations with Russia as well as on the “disengagement process” the Indian Army and the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) of late started on the banks of Pangong Tso as the first step to resolve the 10-month-long military stand-off along the disputed boundary between the two nations.

Jaishankar, Blinken, Payne and Motegi discussed ongoing efforts to combat the Covid-19 pandemic, including vaccination programmes. They reiterated commitment to cooperate in addressing the challenge, enhancing access to affordable vaccines, medicines and medical equipment.

India’s efforts at providing vaccines to 74 countries was recognised and appreciated by the US, Japan and Australia. They exchanged views on responding to climate change and furthering cooperation in areas such as maritime security, humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, supply chain resilience and counter-terrorism.