Jaishankar takes part in Quad foreign ministers meet, discusses deepening of cooperation

NEW DELHI: India on Friday began its UN General Assembly (UNGA) participation with External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar taking part in the Quad Foreign Ministers meeting.

“Had a warm discussion with Quad colleagues to start my UNGA 78 participation. Welcomed Japanese Foreign Minister Yoko Kamikawa. We discussed defending the rules based international order in the Indo-Pacific and delivering on Quad commitment. We always value our collective contribution to doing global good,” said Jaishankar.

A 14-point joint statement was issued after the meeting which spoke about the Black Sea grain initiative, Ukraine, North Korea and Myanmar, besides countering terrorism.

The meeting was also attended by US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken and Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong.

The four leaders met for the first time after the diplomatic downgrade of ties between India and Canada.

“It was good to join my fellow Quad foreign ministers from India, Australia and Japan on the sidelines of UNGA. The Quad is vital to our shared vision for a free and open Indo Pacific and together we reaffirmed our commitment to uphold the purposes and principles of the UN Charter,” said Blinken after the meeting.

The joint statement made by the four ministers reaffirmed their support for the United Nations, the enduring importance of upholding mutually determined rules, norms, and standards, and to deepen Quad cooperation in the international system.

The conversations also included Ukraine, North Korea and Myanmar.

“We express our deep concern over the war raging in Ukraine and mourn its terrible and tragic humanitarian consequences. We underscore the need for a comprehensive, just, and lasting peace in Ukraine in accordance with international law, consistent with the principles of the UN Charter. We are deeply concerned about the global food security situation and support the efforts of the UN in the resumption of the Black Sea Grain Initiative (BSGI). In the context of this war, we concur that the use, or threat of use, of nuclear weapons would be unacceptable,” the joint statement read.

The ministers also condemned North Korea’s proliferation of missile technology and its continued pursuit of nuclear weapons in violation of multiple UN Security Council resolutions (UNSCRs).