The Quad Foreign Ministers have reaffirmed their unwavering commitment to a free, open, and inclusive Indo-Pacific, firmly opposing any attempts to alter the regional status quo through force or coercion.

Meeting in Washington on Tuesday, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong, and Japanese Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya issued a joint statement emphasizing rule of law, sovereignty, and maritime security.

“As four leading maritime nations, we are united in our conviction that peace and stability in the maritime domain underpin regional prosperity. We strongly oppose any unilateral actions that seek to change the status quo by force or coercion,” the ministers declared.

The statement outlined a renewed Quad agenda focusing on four priority areas: maritime and transnational security, economic prosperity, critical and emerging technologies, and humanitarian assistance. A key initiative includes the first Quad Indo-Pacific Logistics Network field training exercise this year to enhance rapid disaster response.

While the statement avoided naming China, it expressed serious concern over aggressive behavior in the South China Sea and East China Sea, citing interference with offshore resource development, freedom of navigation, and unsafe maritime conduct. These actions have been linked to Chinese operations in disputes with the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, and South Korea.

The ministers reiterated support for ASEAN centrality, the Pacific Islands Forum, and the Indian Ocean Rim Association. They also reaffirmed the importance of resolving maritime disputes through peaceful means and international law, including the 2016 arbitral tribunal ruling on the South China Sea.

As the Quad evolves, the ministers pledged to deepen cooperation to meet the Indo-Pacific’s key 21st-century challenges.