Leaders of the Quad countries, namely India, Australia, Japan, and the United States, came together during their third in-person summit in Hiroshima on the sidelines of the G-7 summit, reaffirming their commitment to resolving the conflict in Ukraine through peaceful dialogue and diplomacy.
The Quad leaders echoed Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s signature statement delivered to Russian President Vladimir Putin, emphasizing their stance that the current era must not be characterized by war.
In addition to their call for a peaceful resolution of the war in Ukraine, the Quad leaders condemned the serious and inadmissible threats of nuclear weapon usage, without explicitly naming Putin. This condemnation amplifies India’s own outrage over these threats, which led to the cancellation of an annual bilateral summit with Russia.
The Quad leaders also made it clear that they strongly oppose any destabilizing or unilateral actions aimed at changing the status quo through force or coercion. While not specifically naming China, this statement serves as a reminder of the country’s aggressive territorial claims in the region, including against India. By taking this stance, the Quad leaders emphasize the importance of upholding international norms and promoting peaceful dispute resolution.
Furthermore, the leaders condemned terrorism and violent extremism in all forms, including cross-border terrorism. They called for the punishment of those responsible for the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks, emphasizing their commitment to combating terrorism and ensuring regional security. The leaders also expressed their concern over the deteriorating situation in Myanmar, highlighting the need for democratic governance and respect for human rights in the country.
During the summit, Prime Minister Modi focused on the regional context of the Quad, emphasizing the practical implementation of their vision for a free, open, and inclusive Indo-Pacific. The Quad’s positive cooperation extends to various areas, including climate action, disaster management, strategic technologies, reliable supply chains, health security, maritime security, and counter-terrorism. These cooperative efforts aim to promote regional stability and address common challenges.
The summit, held in Hiroshima, marked the first in-person gathering of the Quad leaders. It involved brief opening remarks followed by an intensive meeting. Several documents were released, including a vision statement, joint statement, and a factsheet highlighting the progress made since the first summit in Washington in 2021. Originally planned to be held in Australia, the summit was relocated to Japan due to ongoing negotiations in Washington.
Despite its shorter duration, the summit proved significant, with the launch of new initiatives and the strengthening of existing programs. The Quad leaders unveiled joint initiatives in various fields, such as health, AI technology, climate change, trade, and maritime security. These initiatives build upon the Quad’s commitment to collaboration and address pressing regional and global challenges.
One such initiative is the expansion of the Quad Health Security Partnership, which now encompasses a broader range of activities to enhance the region’s capacity to respond to disease outbreaks. The Quad Infrastructure Fellowships Programme was also launched to empower infrastructure practitioners in the region, promoting the development of quality infrastructure.
Additionally, the Quad Partnership for Cable Connectivity and Resilience was initiated to strengthen communication networks in the Indo-Pacific region, drawing on the Quad countries’ expertise in cable infrastructure.
The Hiroshima summit showcased the Quad nations’ continued commitment to their shared vision and objectives. Through their unified stance on critical global issues and the launch of new initiatives, the Quad leaders reinforce the importance of collaboration among like-minded nations.
The strategic significance of the Quad partnership becomes increasingly evident as they shape the regional and global order in line with shared values and interests. The Hiroshima summit serves as another milestone in the Quad’s journey, strengthening cooperation and promoting a peaceful, prosperous, and inclusive world order. (Edited)