India to Host Quad Summit with Leaders from Australia, Japan, and the US
On July 29, foreign ministers from Quad countries—Australia, India, Japan, and the US—met in Tokyo. They confirmed that India will host the next Quad Leaders’ Summit later this year. The ministers present were S Jaishankar from India, Yoko Kamikawa from Japan, Penny Wong from Australia, and Antony Blinken from the US.
During the meeting, they discussed regional security, especially concerns about the East and South China Seas. They opposed any actions that change the status quo by force and emphasized the importance of international law, particularly the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).
The Quad countries plan to launch a ‘Quad maritime legal dialogue’ to support maritime order in the Indo-Pacific. They also aim to support the region through cooperation on maritime security, emerging technologies, cyber security, health security, climate change, and disaster relief.
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar highlighted that the Quad is a platform for practical outcomes, such as delivering vaccines during COVID-19 and launching off-grid solar projects in Indo-Pacific islands. The ministers reaffirmed their commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific, supporting regional institutions like ASEAN and the Pacific Islands Forum.
Doubts Revealed
Quad Summit -: The Quad Summit is a meeting of leaders from four countries: Australia, India, Japan, and the United States. They talk about important issues to help each other and make the world better.
Foreign ministers -: Foreign ministers are important people in the government who handle relationships with other countries. They talk to leaders from other nations to solve problems and work together.
Tokyo -: Tokyo is the capital city of Japan. It’s a big city where many important meetings and events happen.
Regional security -: Regional security means keeping a certain area safe from dangers like wars or attacks. The Quad countries want to make sure their region is peaceful and secure.
Maritime laws -: Maritime laws are rules for how countries should behave in the oceans and seas. These laws help prevent conflicts and protect the environment.
Climate change -: Climate change is when the Earth’s weather patterns change, often because of human activities. It can cause problems like more storms, floods, and droughts.
Disaster relief -: Disaster relief is help given to people after big emergencies like earthquakes, floods, or storms. It includes food, water, and medical care.
Free and open Indo-Pacific -: The Indo-Pacific is a large area that includes the Indian and Pacific Oceans. ‘Free and open’ means that countries in this area can trade and travel without unfair restrictions.
International law -: International law is a set of rules that countries agree to follow. These rules help countries get along and solve problems peacefully.
Peaceful dispute resolution -: Peaceful dispute resolution means solving arguments or conflicts without fighting. Countries talk and negotiate to find a solution everyone agrees on.
