Quad Message To China: ‘Undaunted by coercion’!

In a clear signal to Beijing and its growing influence in the Indo-Pacific region, leaders of the Quad grouping said Saturday that they “recommit to promoting the free, open, rules-based order, rooted in international law and undaunted by coercion, to bolster security and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific and beyond”.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, US President Joe Biden, Australian PM Scott Morrison and Japan’s outgoing PM Yoshihide Suga met for about two hours and pledged to ensure a “free and open” Indo-Pacific which is also “inclusive and resilient” at a time when China’s assertiveness is growing in the region.Other matters discussed: Afghanistan and the growing issue of human rights, assistance to Afghan nationals in need of safe havens, to deepen their cooperation in South Asia, ways to fight against terrorism, coordination to built better infrastructure in the region, vaccine supplies and trade among other things.