Top diplomats from the United States, Australia, Japan, and India met in Tokyo on July 29, 2024, for the Quad Foreign Ministers’ meeting to discuss security concerns and joint support to reinforce maritime safety and cybersecurity in the Indo-Pacific region.
The meeting was hosted by Japanese Foreign Minister Yoko Kamikawa, with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong, and Indian External Affairs Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar in attendance.
Ms. Kamikawa stated that maritime security in the region is increasingly unstable, so unity and cooperation are needed more than ever among the Quad countries.
The talks also covered Russia’s war against Ukraine, conflict in the Middle East, Cyber Security, and other shared concerns.
Mr. Jaishankar emphasized transparent digital partnerships, market economies, and pluralistic societies.
In a separate meeting, Foreign Minister Jaishankar and Australia’s Wong discussed steps to boost bilateral ties, including security, trade, and education, and deepening practical cooperation across the Indo-Pacific.
Earlier, Mr. Jaishankar unveiled a bust of Mahatma Gandhi in Edogawa, Tokyo.
The Quad comprises Australia, India, Japan, and the United States and was established in 2017 to develop a new strategy for keeping the critical sea routes in the Indo-Pacific free of any influence.
The Quad Foreign Ministers’ meeting was held against the backdrop of an unease in India-US ties following Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Russia three weeks prior.