Quad Nations Address South China Sea Tensions in Recent Meeting

Concerns Over South China Sea Discussed
During a recent meeting of the Quad Foreign Ministers in Washington, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar highlighted the South China Sea as a significant concern for the member nations. He emphasized that the United States, India, Australia, and Japan share a mutual interest in ensuring that this vital waterway remains peaceful and free from conflict.
Jaishankar remarked, "The South China Sea was a topic of discussion due to its importance. Our goal is to resolve the disputes surrounding it. The Quad members have a collective interest in maintaining calm in this crucial international waterway."
Post-meeting, the four nations released a joint statement expressing their strong opposition to any unilateral actions that aim to change the status quo through force or coercion. They stated, "We are deeply concerned about the situations in both the East China Sea and South China Sea, reiterating our strong opposition to any actions that seek to alter the status quo by force."
The statement further expressed serious concerns regarding provocative actions, including interference with offshore resource development and the obstruction of navigation freedoms. It condemned dangerous maneuvers by military aircraft and coast guard vessels, particularly the unsafe use of water cannons and aggressive tactics in the South China Sea.
These actions, the statement warned, pose a threat to regional peace and stability. The Quad nations underscored the importance of upholding freedom of navigation and lawful sea uses, in accordance with international law as outlined in the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).
Additionally, the Quad foreign ministers reaffirmed their commitment to upholding the rule of law, sovereignty, and territorial integrity in the Indo-Pacific region. They expressed their dedication to a region where all nations can operate free from coercion and reiterated their opposition to any unilateral actions that attempt to change the status quo through force.
The meeting also provided an opportunity for leaders to discuss the challenges and opportunities within the Indo-Pacific, focusing on how to leverage the Quad's collective strength to promote peace, security, and prosperity in collaboration with regional partners.