The Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (Quad) foreign ministers have strongly condemned the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack, called for global cooperation to bring those responsible to justice, and flagged serious regional and economic security concerns — from China’s maritime aggression to the crisis in Myanmar and critical mineral supply chains.

Meeting in Washington DC on Tuesday, the top diplomats from India, the United States, Australia, and Japan discussed and aligned on priorities ahead of the grouping’s annual summit scheduled in India later this year.

Tough message on cross-border terrorism

In a joint statement, the Quad foreign ministers condemned the Pahalgam terror attack “in the strongest terms” and called for urgent international action.

“We call for the perpetrators, organisers, and financiers of this reprehensible act to be brought to justice without any delay and urge all UN Member States, in accordance with their obligations under international law and relevant UN Security Council Resolutions, to cooperate actively with all relevant authorities in this regard,” they said, PTI reported.

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While the statement did not directly name Pakistan or refer to the brief four-day India-Pakistan military conflict in May, the grouping’s emphasis on cross-border terrorism was evident.

Warning on China’s assertiveness

The Quad foreign ministers expressed serious concern over China’s growing military assertiveness in the East China Sea and South China Sea, warning against unilateral moves aimed at altering the status quo.

“We reiterate our strong opposition to any unilateral actions that seek to change the status quo by force or coercion,” they said.

The joint statement flagged actions such as interference in offshore resource development, blocking freedom of navigation and overflight, and provocative military manoeuvres. The use of water cannons and “ramming or blocking” tactics by Chinese vessels were also highlighted.

The ministers reaffirmed support for the 2016 Arbitral Tribunal ruling that rejected China’s sweeping claims in the South China Sea, describing it as a “significant milestone” for peacefully resolving maritime disputes.

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Supply chain resilience, mineral security

Raising economic security concerns, the Quad flagged overdependence on one country — a veiled reference to China — for processing and refining critical minerals.

“Reliance on any one country for processing and refining critical minerals and derivative goods production exposes our industries to economic coercion, price manipulation, and supply chain disruptions, which further harms our economic and national security,” the statement read. To counter this, the Quad underlined the need for diversified and reliable global supply chains and announced the upcoming launch of a Quad Ports of the Future Partnership in Mumbai.

Myanmar crisis and ASEAN support

Addressing the worsening crisis in Myanmar, the Quad called on the military regime to uphold its ceasefire commitment and enable delivery of humanitarian assistance.

“We reaffirm our strong support for ASEAN’s efforts, including calling for the full and effective implementation of the Five Point Consensus in seeking an inclusive, durable, and peaceful resolution to the crisis,” the ministers stated.

They also warned of the broader regional impact, particularly the spread of transnational crime and instability.

Who attended?

The meeting was attended by Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong, and Japanese Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya.

(With PTI Inputs)