ATLANTA, October 31 (ANI) — Quad foreign ministers on Saturday called for preserving navigational rights and freedoms in the Strait of Hormuz, the Red Sea and the Bab el-Mandeb Strait amid tensions in West Asia.
At the Quad meeting in Atlanta, Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar met with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and the foreign ministers of Japan and Australia, Toshimitsu Motegi and Penny Wong, respectively.
The Quad ministers emphasized maritime security and expressed concern over “economic coercion, including through arbitrary export restrictions.”
In a joint statement released after the meeting, the ministers “underscored the importance of economic security in maintaining global stability and prosperity. They reiterated their commitment to building reliable and open global supply chains and trusted and resilient infrastructure. They expressed grave concerns regarding economic coercion, including through arbitrary export restrictions, as well as non-market policies and practices that result in overcapacity to disrupt global supply chains in critical industries.”
“Recognizing the importance of critical sea lanes, the uninterrupted flow of commerce, energy security, and the unhindered passage and safety of maritime crews and vessels without the imposition of tolls, they reiterated the absolute necessity to protect and preserve navigational rights and freedoms in the Strait of Hormuz, the Red Sea, and the Bab el-Mandeb Strait in accordance with international law as reflected in the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS),” the statement read.
As part of the Quad’s efforts to improve seafarer safety, the ministers noted that the second Quad-at-Sea Ship Observer mission successfully sailed from Chennai, India, to Perth, Australia, from September 25 to October 7.
“The second Quad-at-Sea Ship Observer mission successfully sailed from Chennai, India, to Perth, Australia, from September 25 to October 7, with representatives from all four Quad countries aboard an Indian Coast Guard offshore patrol vessel, a significant step toward strengthening Quad maritime interoperability to address unlawful maritime activities,” the ministers stated.
Focusing on the Indo-Pacific region, the four nations said they looked forward to the Indo-Pacific Maritime Surveillance Collaboration initiative at Sea Dragon 2027, which was announced during a meeting in New Delhi in May.
“The Quad countries look forward to holding their first exercise under the Indo-Pacific Maritime Surveillance Collaboration initiative at Sea Dragon 2027. The initiative was announced in May by the secretary and foreign ministers in New Delhi to enhance information sharing and maritime domain awareness,” the joint statement read.
The Quad countries also announced plans to hold the first Quad Maritime Domain Awareness Track 1.5 Symposium under the Quad Maritime Training Initiative (MAITRI) in early 2027. The symposium will provide a platform for regional partners to discuss maritime domain awareness approaches, technologies and information sharing.
After the meeting, Jaishankar said the Quad had highlighted the importance of “maintaining stability, driving prosperity and ensuring freedom of choice as our continuing commitments in the Indo-Pacific.”
Jaishankar emphasized the importance of strengthening supply chain resilience in technology, critical minerals and energy security. He also highlighted efforts to combat terrorism, enhance maritime security and build regional capacity to contribute to peace and stability.
In a post on X, Jaishankar wrote, “Pleased to participate in the QUAD Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in Atlanta, the third this year after our earlier interactions in New Delhi and Manila. Highlighted the importance of maintaining stability, driving prosperity and ensuring freedom of choice as our continuing commitments in the Indo-Pacific.”
“Deepening cooperation to promote supply chain resilience and ensure technology, critical minerals and energy security. Countering non-market practices and increased economic stresses in the Indo-Pacific. Taking forward agreements on counterterrorism, maritime security and capacity building to enhance resilience and contribute to peace and stability. Developing a more contemporary QUAD agenda with a practical approach,” the post read.
While Quad ministers emphasized maritime security, Jaishankar on Friday raised grave concerns about repeated attacks on civilian shipping and seafarers during the G20 Foreign Ministers’ Meeting, stressing the urgent need to protect freedom of navigation.
“The Global South is disproportionately bearing the consequences of attacks on civilian shipping and seafarers, jeopardizing the availability and cost of fuel, food and fertilizers,” he said. (ANI)
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