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Quad Reaffirms Support To Free, Open Indo-Pacific

By LokMarg 3rd March 2023

The Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (Quad) 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.

The Quad Foreign Ministers carried out a comprehensive review of various issues, ranging from indo-pacific to ASEAN. The meeting was presided by External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong, Japanese counterpart Yoshimasa Hayashi and US State Department Secretary Antony Blinken.
“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.

In the meeting, Foreign Ministers said the Quad, as a force for regional and global good, will be guided by the priorities of the Indo-Pacific region through its positive and constructive agenda.

Quad Foreign ministers sought support in the region through practical cooperation on contemporary challenges such as health security, climate change and the clean energy transition, critical and emerging technologies, infrastructure and connectivity. The Foreign ministers also addressed the debt crisis, space cooperation, cyber-security, humanitarian assistance and disaster relief (HADR), maritime security and counter-terrorism.

Talking about the reforms in United Nations Security Council, Quad said they reiterated their unwavering support for the UN Charter, including the expansion of permanent and non-permanent seats of the international organisation.

“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.

“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.

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

India To Host QUAD Foreign Min’s Meet In 2023

By LokMarg 18th December 2022

India is going to host the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (QUAD) Foreign Minister’s meeting next year and Japan’s Foreign Minister is looking forward to visiting India on the occasion, Japanese envoy to India Hiroshi Suzuki said on Sunday.

While talking with ANI, Japan’s envoy said that he is happy that India is going to host the Foreign Minister’s Meeting which is a very important framework that India and Japan are working together.
“India is going to be the Host for the Quad (Quadrilateral Security Dialogue) Foreign Ministers meeting and my Foreign Minister Hayashi is looking forward to visiting India on this occasion. Quad as you know has been getting firmly on the ground. We had the first summit last year in Washington DC and then this year in Tokyo and I am glad that next year India is going to host the Foreign Minister’s Meeting. So, this is a very important framework and I am glad that India and Japan are working very closely together on this,” said the Japanese envoy.

Talking about the Japan-India ties and about Japan’s new National Defence Strategy to promote training and exercises as well as defence equipment and technology cooperation with India, the Japanese Ambassador said that the two countries enjoy a special strategic partnership and we will try to expand our cooperation in all fields, security being an important area.

“India and Japan enjoy a special global strategic partnership and we try to expand our cooperation in all fields. Of course security is a very important area so I am glad that the cooperation is advancing in the area of security. India this month has taken over the Presidency of G20 and come January, Japan will take over the presidency of G7. So, the close cooperation between India and Japan under the Presidencies of G20 and G7 is more important than ever. So, I look forward to working closely with my Indian friends to promote close cooperation going forward,” he said.

The last Quad Foreign Ministers’ meet was held in New York City on the sidelines of the 77th United Nations General Assembly to deepen Quad multilateral cooperation in support of advancing a free and open Indo-Pacific. The establishment of the Quad was proposed by then-Japanese Prime Minister Abe Shinzo and the first meeting by Quad officials took place in May 2007.

On Friday, Japan’s new national security plan was unveiled signalling the country’s biggest military buildup since World War II.

“As a nation in the Indo-Pacific region, Japan will further promote efforts to realize a FOIP (free and open Indo-Pacific) by deepening cooperation with like-minded countries through the Japan-US Alliance as a cornerstone and through efforts such as the Japan-US-Australia-India (QUAD) partnership,” reads the plan.

Japanese Ambassador participated in an event today that commemorated 70 years of the diplomatic relationship between India and Japan. As a part of the celebratory events, the Horse-riding Performance of Japanese Yabusame and Indian Tent Pegging took place at Army Polo and Riding Club (APRC) Ground in Delhi.

Yabusame is one of Japan’s traditional martial art featuring an archer firing at targets from a galloping horse. It was created approximately 800 years ago in feudal Japan as a school of archery, mounted archery, and Reiho (etiquette) that was taught to Shoguns (feudal lords) and other Samurais across the country in each generation, forming one of the most unique and dynamic aspects of Japan’s traditional culture while Tent pegging is a cavalry sport of ancient origin widely played in India. The show is a fusion of equestrian events originating from India and Japan. (ANI)

US Backs PM Modi On Ukraine Conflict: Not An Era Of War

By LokMarg 27th September 2022

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Tuesday (local time) emphasized the remarks made by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Russian President Vladimir Putin in Samarkand, and said that he “could not agree more” with PM Modi’s advice.

On the sidelines of the SCO summit in Samarkand on September 16, PM Modi had said “today’s era isn’t of war” while emphasising the need to find ways to address the problems of food, fuel security and fertilizers.

“I really want to emphasize on what PM Modi said. I think he captured, as well as anyone I have heard, fundamentally what this moment is about as he said, this is not an era, the time for war and we could not agree more,” Blinken during a joint press conference said.

He also noted that India and Unites States have made real progress in elevating their partnership through institutions like QUAD and G20 and international organisations at the United Nations.

“The partnership between India and US is simply one of the most consequential in the world. It is to address any global challenge that our people face – health security, climate change, food security and upholding free and open international order. Over the past years, we have made real progress in elevating that partnership bilaterally — through institutions like QUAD and G20 and international organisations at the United Nations,” Blinken said here.

India will take over the presidency of the Group of Twenty (G20) in December.

Speaking over the presidency, Blinken said: “With India holding the presidency at the UNSC in December and taking over the presidency at G20 next year, we will be able to drive more global cooperation and action together.”

“I really want to emphasize on what PM Modi said, I think he captured, as well as anyone I have heard, fundamentally what this moment is about as he said, this is not an era, the time for war & we could not agree more: US Secretary of State Antony Blinken

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken highlighted several issues inlucing the ongoing Ukraine conflict, the Indo-Pacific situation, during the during a joint press conference with External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar. (ANI)