U.S.-Australia-India-Japan (the “Quad”) hold meeting reinforcing goals in Indo-Pacific region

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Senior officials from the United States, Australia, India, and Japan met virtually as part of regular Quad consultations with the goal of advancing a free and open Indo-Pacific region.

This meeting is a follow to discussions held between President Biden, Prime Minister Morrison, Prime Minister Modi, and Prime Minister Suga during the inaugural Quad Leaders’ Summit on March 12, 2021, an Aug. 12, 2021, a readout from the State Department said.

The four countries acknowledged that “global security and prosperity depends on the region remaining inclusive, resilient, and healthy.”

They discussed the importance of sustained international cooperation to end the COVID-19 pandemic in the Indo-Pacific and to promote economic recovery.

The officials also examined ways to advance ongoing cooperation on numerous topics of mutual interest, including strategic challenges confronting the region, countering disinformation, promoting democracy and human rights, strengthening international institutions including the United Nations and related organizations, and supporting countries vulnerable to coercive actions in the Indo-Pacific region, the press release said.

Also discussed was the importance of peace and security in the Taiwan Strait, and the ongoing crisis in Burma.

Senior officials reaffirmed the Quad’s strong support for the Association of South East Asian Nation’s (ASEAN) centrality and the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific.

The meeting concluded with a decision to continue regular consultations at the ministerial, senior official, and working levels and to hold a second Leaders’ Summit this fall.