Eye on China, Quad vows to stand together for free and open Indo-Pacific: Highlights

NEW DELHI: India, US, Australia and Japan — the four nations of the "Quad" grouping — vowed on Tuesday to stand together for a free and open Indo-Pacific region at the start of the second in-person meeting in Japan.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, US President Joe Biden, Japanese PM Fumio Kishida and Australia's Anthony Albenese held wide-ranging discussions with an eye on an increasingly assertive China which has been flexing its muscles in the Indo-Pacific region.

The leaders also vowed to work on fighting climate change and sought to pave over differences on issues involving Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
Here's a look at the key highlights from the meeting ...
Quad ensured peace in Indo-Pacific: PM Modi
Highlighting that the Quad's scope has become extensive despite Covid-19 challenges, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said the mutual trust and determination of the member countries is giving new energy and enthusiasm to democratic powers.

In his opening remarks at the summit, PM Modi said, "Quad has made an important place for itself before the world in such a short span of time. Today, Quad's scope has become extensive, its form effective. Our mutual trust, and our determination is giving new energy and enthusiasm to democratic powers."
The Prime Minister added that Quad is moving ahead with a constructive agenda for Indo-Pacific.
"At the Quad level, with our mutual cooperation, a free, open and inclusive Indo Pacific Region is getting encouraged - it is the shared goal of all of us," he added.
Russia on agenda
Besides talks of an inclusive Indo-Pacific, the Quad leades — particularly President Biden — focussed heavily on the Russian invasion of Ukraine, which entered its fourth month today.
In his opening remarks at the summit, President Biden vowed that US will continue to work with its partners as long as Russia is waging war against Ukraine.

In strong remarks against Vladimir Putin, Biden said the Russian President is just trying to extinguish a culture in Ukraine.
Biden also warned that the global food crisis may worsen since Russia has blocked Ukraine from exporting its grains.
Stressing that Washington would stand with its "close domestic partners" to push for a free and open Indo-Pacific region, he said: "Russia's assault of Ukraine only heightens the importance of those goals of fundamental principles of international order, territorial integrity and sovereignty."
Meanwhile, Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, in his opening remarks, said the Russian invasion of Ukraine represented a "frontal challenge" to the principles of the UN Charter and similar things should never be allowed to happen in the Indo-Pacific.
"A grave incident which has fundamentally shaken the rules-based international order has taken place since we met last September. The Russian invasion of Ukraine challenges the principles which are enshrined in the United Nations Charter. We should never ever allow a similar incident to happen in the Indo-Pacific region," PM Kishida said.
We mean business: Biden
Asserting that Quad is not just a temporary alliance, President Biden said that the four-nation group is hear to get things done.
"We share the same goal of ensuring a free and open Indo-Pacific that will deliver greater prosperity and greater opportunity for all of our children. I am looking forward to continuing to work with all of you and to strengthen economic cooperation to deliver inclusive growth and shared prosperity," Biden said in his opening remarks.
“We've shown that Quad is not just a passing fad, we mean business. We're here to get things done for the region, and I'm proud of what we're building together and I look forward to our vital partnership flourishing and for many years to come,” Biden said.
Biden also welcomed Prime Minister Modi at the summit and said “it is wonderful to see you again in person”.
Albanese's first Quad summit
Attending his first Quad summit a day after assuming charge, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said his goals were aligned with the priorities of the Quad nations.
Albanese, the leader of Australia's Labor Party who was sworn in as his country's 31st prime minister, also said the Quad stood together for a "free and open Indo-Pacific".
He also told the fellow leaders that Australia wanted to discuss the issue of climate change.
On a lighter note, President Biden welcomed Albanese to his first Quad meeting and quipped about how the Australian leader had to rush for the summit immediately after being sworn-in.
"Like I said, you got on a plane — you were sworn in and got on a plane. So if you fall asleep while you're here, it's OK, because I don't know how you're doing it. It's really quite extraordinary — just getting off the campaign trail as well," Biden said.
What is Quad
Formally the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue, the Quad began as a loose partnership after the devastating 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami, when the four countries joined together to provide humanitarian and disaster assistance to the affected region.
It was formalized by former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe in 2007, but then fell dormant for nearly a decade, particularly amid Australian concerns that its participation in the group would irritate China.
The group was resurrected in 2017, reflecting changing attitudes in the region toward China's growing influence.
Both the Trump and Biden administrations saw the Quad as key to a pivot toward placing more focus on the Indo-Pacific region, particularly as a counterweight to China's assertive actions. The Quad leaders held their first formal summit in 2021 and met again virtually in March.
(With inputs from agencies)