Without specifically naming Pakistan and China, The Quad, a regional grouping, in its meeting of foreign ministers of US, India, Australia, and Japan, condemned rising threats in the Indo-Pacific, cross-border terrorism such as the Pahalgam attack, in a strong Joint Statement issued July 1, 2025. The recognition of Pahalgam and the acceptance of alleged Pakistani involvement, was a clear victory for India which is engaged in a global campaign to get recognition for Islamabad’s role as a state sponsor of terrorism.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio hosted Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong, Indian External Affairs Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, and Japanese Foreign Minister Iwaya Takeshi in Washington for the Quad Foreign Ministers’ Meeting.
The Quad reaffirmed its “steadfast commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific, and underscored its “commitment to “defending the rule of law, sovereignty, and territorial integrity.”
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In an unqualified statement against terrorism, a priority for India, the group said, “The Quad unequivocally condemns all acts of terrorism and violent extremism in all its forms and manifestations, including cross-border terrorism, and renews our commitment to counterterrorism cooperation,” going on to say, “We condemn in the strongest terms the terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir on April 22, 2025, which claimed the lives of 25 Indian nationals and one Nepali citizen, while injuring several others.”
Expressing condolences for victims’ families, it went on to say, “We call for the perpetrators, organizers, 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 UNSCRs, to cooperate actively with all relevant authorities in this regard.”
Pointing its finger at Beijing without naming China, The Quad “strongly” opposed any unilateral actions that seek to change the status quo by force or coercion.”
The group announced what it described as a “new, ambitious, and strong agenda” focused on four key areas: maritime and transnational security, economic prosperity and security, critical and emerging technology, and humanitarian assistance and emergency response.
The four countries committed to working with other regional organizations like ASEAN, the Pacific Islands Forum and Pacific-led regional groupings, and the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA).
“We remain seriously concerned about the situation in the East China Sea and South China Sea,” the foreign ministers said, as the group strongly opposed unilateral actions “that seek to change the status quo by force or coercion,” calling the actions by Beijing, without naming it, as dangerous and provocative.
It also addressed the issue of supply chains, specifically any actions that would affect critical minerals. This included the use of non-market policies and practices for critical minerals, certain derivative products, and mineral processing technology.
The Joint Statement categorically condemned North Korea’s “destabilizing launches using ballistic missile technology and its continued pursuit of nuclear weapons in violation of multiple UN Security Council resolutions (UNSCRs),” reaffirming its “commitment to the complete denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula consistent with relevant UNSCRs, and we urge North Korea to abide by all its obligations under the UNSCRs.”
The statement also touched on Myanmar, saying the countries were “deeply concerned” by the worsening crisis and its impact on the region. It called for a ceasefire by the military junta, and for a peaceful resolution.
Among the initiatives announced was the launch of the Quad Critical Minerals Initiative, to secure and diversify critical minerals supply chains.
In addition, the countries expressed their commitment to deepening maritime cooperation, and host the first Quad Indo-Pacific Logistics Network field training exercise this year to strengthen shared airlift capacity; to launch the Quad Ports of the Future Partnership in Mumbai this year; continue to coordinate responses to regional disasters.
The next Quad Leaders’ Summit will be hosted by India later this year and the next Quad Foreign Ministers’ Meeting will be hosted by Australia in 2026.