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www.newsindiatimes.com – that’s all you need to know Cover Story News India Times (July 5, 2025 - July 11, 2025) July 11, 2025 4 The Quad Takes Aim At Pakistan, China, Adopts Key Initiatives For Indo-Pacific Region W ithout specifically naming Pakistan and China, The Quad, a regional grouping, in its meeting of foreign min- isters of US, India, Australia, and Japan, condemned rising threats in the Indo-Pacific, cross-border terrorism such as the Pahalgam attack, in a strong Joint Statement issued July 1, 2025. The recognition of Pahalgam and the accep- tance of alleged Pakistani involvement, was a clear victory for India which is en- gaged in a global campaign to get recogni- tion for Islamabad’s role as a state sponsor of terrorism. Secretary of State Marco Rubio hosted Australian Foreign Minister PennyWong, Indian External Affairs Minister Subrah- manyam Jaishankar, and Japanese Foreign Minister Iwaya Takeshi inWashington for the Quad Foreign Ministers’ Meeting. At a press briefing the following day, July 2, inWashington, D.C., Jaishankar said what was important for India in The Quad statement was spelling out that per- petrators must be held accountable, and that New Delhi had the right to react and take action against the perpetrators, their financiers and supporters. Jaishankar said he shared with the other three members the nature of the terrorist threat India had been facing for decades, and that it was resolved today to respond to those threats promptly, and that it had the right to do so. The Quad reaffirmed its “steadfast commitment to a free and open Indo- Pacific, and underscored its “commitment to “defending the rule of law, sovereignty, and territorial integrity.” In an unqualified statement against ter- rorism, a priority for India, the group said, “The Quad unequivocally condemns all acts of terrorism and violent extremism in all its forms and manifestations, including cross-border terrorism, and renews our commitment to counterterrorism coop- eration,” going on to say, “We condemn in the strongest terms the terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir on April 22, 2025, which claimed the lives of 25 Indian nationals and one Nepali citizen, while injuring several others.” Expressing condolences for victims’ families, it went on to say, “We call for the perpetrators, organizers, and financiers of this reprehensible act to be brought to justice without any delay and urge all UN Member States, in accordance with their obligations under international law and relevant UNSCRs, to cooperate actively with all relevant authorities in this regard.” Pointing its finger at Beijing without naming China, The Quad “strongly” op- posed any unilateral actions that seek to change the status quo by force or coer- cion.” The group announced what it de- scribed as a “new, ambitious, and strong agenda” focused on four key areas: maritime and transnational security, eco- nomic prosperity and security, critical and emerging technology, and humanitarian assistance and emergency response. The four countries committed to work- ing with other regional organizations like ASEAN, the Pacific Islands Forum and Pacific-led regional groupings, and the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA). “We remain seriously concerned about the situation in the East China Sea and South China Sea,” the foreign ministers said, as the group strongly opposed unilateral actions “that seek to change the status quo by force or coercion,” calling the actions by Beijing, without naming it, as dangerous and provocative. It also addressed the issue of supply chains, specifically any actions that would affect critical minerals. This included the use of non-market policies and practices for critical minerals, certain derivative products, and mineral processing tech- nology. The Joint Statement categorically condemned North Korea’s “destabilizing launches using ballistic missile technol- ogy and its continued pursuit of nuclear weapons in violation of multiple UN Security Council resolutions (UNSCRs),” reaffirming its “commitment to the com- plete denuclearization of the Korean Pen- insula consistent with relevant UNSCRs, and we urge North Korea to abide by all its obligations under the UNSCRs.” The statement also touched on Myan- mar, saying the countries were “deeply concerned” by the worsening crisis and its impact on the region. It called for a ceasefire by the military junta, and for a peaceful resolution. Among the initiatives announced was the launch of the Quad Critical Minerals Initiative, to secure and diversify critical minerals supply chains. In addition, the countries expressed their commitment to deepening mari- time cooperation, and host the first Quad Indo-Pacific Logistics Network field train- ing exercise this year to strengthen shared airlift capacity; to launch the Quad Ports of the Future Partnership in Mumbai this year; continue to coordinate responses to regional disasters. In his press briefing next day, Jaishan- kar said important takeaways fromThe Quad foreign ministers’ meeting was the deepening of commitments by members, and the emphasis on building their own capabilities. He noted that as a forum The Quad, which had no legal or formal framework and is a “very unique organiza- tion”, allowed for “open and free-wheeling discussions, with granular analysis of issues. In todays geopolitical situaton, he said, “The Quad contributes to stability in an unstable world.” The next Quad Leaders’ Summit will be hosted by India later this year and the next Quad Foreign Ministers’ Meeting will be hosted by Australia in 2026. By a StaffWriter PHOTO:REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque PHOTO:X @IndiainNewYork Indian External Affairs Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, Australia’s Foreign Minister Penny Wong, Japanese Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya and U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio stand together at the start of their meeting of the Indo-Pacific Quad at the State Department in Washington, D.C., U.S., July 1, 2025. Pictures of those killed in the April 22, 2025 terror attack in Pahalgam, Kashmir, displayed at a Long Island, NY vigil. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio greets India’s External Affairs Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar at the meeting of the Indo-Pacific Quad at the State Department in Washington, D.C., U.S., July 1, 2025.