'The culprits should be punished as soon as possible', Quad's strong reaction to Pahalgam terror attack

The Quad, an organization of the US, Japan, Australia, and India, has strongly condemned the Pahalgam attack. The Washington meeting of Quad foreign ministers was followed by a joint statement in which condemnation of Tuesday's terror attack in Pahalgam and deepest condolences were expressed to the families of 25 Indian citizens and a lone Nepali national who were killed in it. In it, all UN member states have been called upon to help gain prompt punishment for those behind the attack.

Contrary to India's intention, the joint statement in the context of the Pahalgam attack does not name Pakistan or the terrorist organizations supported by it, nor is there any mention of the four-day conflict between India and Pakistan. The joint statement said the Quad strongly condemns all forms of terrorism and any kind of extremism, including cross-border terrorism. We also condemn in the strongest terms the terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir. We express our deepest condolences to the families of those killed in it and wish for the speedy recovery of those injured. We call upon all countries to take immediate steps under international law and the relevant rules of the United Nations to bring the conspirators of this attack, those who provided financial facilities to them, and the organizations to justice.

While addressing a speech ahead of the said Quad meeting, India's Minister of External Affairs S. Jaishankar had been very clear in his statement over the terror strike at Pahalgam that retaliatory steps will be taken again should there be such terror strikes made against Indian citizens in the future. Jaishankar also indicated that he hopes member states of the Quad will understand India's concerns over the issue of terror along the border.

The Quad foreign ministers expressed serious concern over the increasing deployment of the Chinese military in the East China Sea and the South China Sea. Without directly mentioning China, he said, 'We reiterate our strong opposition to any unilateral attempt to change the status quo through force or pressure.'

The Quad foreign ministers particularly highlighted dangerous and provocative actions, including interference in the development of offshore resources, repeated obstruction of freedom of navigation and overflight, and dangerous exercises of military aircraft, coast guard ships, and naval ships.

They stressed the need to implement the July 12, 2016, decision of the Arbitral Tribunal. The tribunal had ruled against China's claim on the South China Sea. They also expressed deep concern over the deteriorating situation in Myanmar. The foreign ministers of the Quad expressed deep concern over the sudden shortage and future dependence on key supply chains, especially critical minerals. In this context, he was pointing towards China's policy.

This meeting of the Quad is also being seen as a preparation for the meeting of top leaders to be held in India after a few months. Three important decisions have been taken in this meeting which will also have a positive impact on India's interests. In view of the increasing use of precious metals in technology-based cutting-edge industries, the Quad Critical Minerals Initiative has been announced. One of its objectives is also to end dependence on China in critical minerals.

Under this initiative, the four countries will discover precious metals in the world in mutual partnership, exploit them and formulate a strategy for its use. The second step, the Quad will be in the form of Indo-Pacific Logistics Network. Under this, each other will be helped in improving maritime security and at the same time other countries of the Indo-Pacific region will also be helped.

The third initiative is about the establishment of Quad ports. It is being seen as the most ambitious campaign of the Quad countries. In this regard, a meeting of these countries will be held in Mumbai this year. Under this, ports will be built for business and military purposes on which these countries and their partner countries can completely rely.