Peace in Indo-Pacific focus of Quad meet in Japan

Highlighting that the Quad's scope has become extensive despite COVID-19 challenges, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said the mutual trust, and determination of the members countries including the US, Australia and Japan is giving new energy and enthusiasm to democratic powers.

In his opening remarks before the Quad Leaders Summit, PM Modi said, "Quad has made an important place for itself before the world in such a short span of time. Today, Quad's scope has become extensive, its form effective. Our mutual trust, and our determination is giving new energy and enthusiasm to democratic powers."

"At the Quad level, with our mutual cooperation, a free, open and inclusive Indo Pacific Region is getting encouraged - it is the shared goal of all of us," he added.

PM Modi noted that despite the difficult circumstance of COVID-19, the member countries have increased mutual coordination in several areas like vaccine delivery, climate action, supply change resilience, disaster management and economic cooperation. "It has ensured peace, prosperity and stability in Indo-Pacific," he added.

Reaffirming shared commitment to deepen cooperation on infrastructure, the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (Quad) countries on May 24 agreed to allocate USD 50 billion for infrastructure and investment in the Indo-Pacific region over five years.

PM Modi participated in the second in-person Quad Leaders' Summit in Tokyo today, along with leaders of Japan, the US and Australia. During the summit, leaders reiterated their shared commitment to a free, open and inclusive Indo-Pacific and the importance of upholding the principles of sovereignty, territorial integrity and peaceful resolution of disputes.

"We are committed to working closely with partners and the region to drive public and private investment to bridge gaps. To achieve this, Quad will seek to extend more than 50 billion USD of infrastructure assistance and investment in the Indo-Pacific, over the next five years," the Quad Joint Leaders' Statement said in a statement.

(ANI)