The External Affairs Minister says India has “every right” to defend its people against terrorism, and the partners of the Quad grouping should “appreciate” that; he reiterates India’s commitment to a rules-based international order and the “free and open Indo-Pacific”
India has “every right” to defend its people against terrorism, and the partners of the Quad grouping should “appreciate” that, said External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar in Washington D.C., where he participated in the Quad Foreign Ministers-level meeting on Tuesday (July 1, 2025).
Mr. Jaishankar said a “more focused Quad” will “help deliver better. At the same time, le Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong, in her opening remarks, mentioned the March 28 earthquake in Myanmar where the Quad partners mobilised “quickly” to help the affected communities.
“A word about terrorism in the light of our recent experience: The world must display zero tolerance. Victims and perpetrators must never be equated, and India has every right to defend its people against terrorism, and we will exercise that right. We expect our Quad partners to understand and appreciate that,” said Mr. Jaishankar in his opening remarks at the meeting, which is being hosted by U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
Mr. Rubio had hosted his counterparts from Australia, India, and Japan on the sidelines of President Donald Trump's swearing-in ceremony in January.
India has “every right” to defend its people against terrorism, and the partners of the Quad grouping should “appreciate” that, said External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar in Washington D.C., where he participated in the Quad Foreign Ministers-level meeting on Tuesday (July 1, 2025).
Mr. Jaishankar said a “more focused Quad” will “help deliver better. At the same time, le Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong, in her opening remarks, mentioned the March 28 earthquake in Myanmar where the Quad partners mobilised “quickly” to help the affected communities.
“A word about terrorism in the light of our recent experience: The world must display zero tolerance. Victims and perpetrators must never be equated, and India has every right to defend its people against terrorism, and we will exercise that right. We expect our Quad partners to understand and appreciate that,” said Mr. Jaishankar in his opening remarks at the meeting, which is being hosted by U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
Mr. Rubio had hosted his counterparts from Australia, India, and Japan on the sidelines of President Donald Trump's swearing-in ceremony in January.
‘Significant progress’
Mr. Jaishankar reiterated India’s commitment to a rules-based international order and the “free and open Indo-Pacific” and announced that India was on track to host the next Quad leaders’ summit. The meeting in Washington, DC is also being attended by Japanese Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya. “Nations of the Indo-Pacific must have the freedom of choice, so essential to make right decisions on development and security,” said the External Affairs Minister, announcing that the grouping had made “significant progress” in the maritime domain, logistics, education, and political coordination in the last few months.
“The working of the Quad is also being made more efficient through streamlining the Working Groups. A more cohesive, nimble, and focused Quad will certainly help deliver better,” said Mr. Jaishankar. He said India had some proposals to make the next Quad summit “productive”.
Ahead of the ministerial meeting, Mr. Jaishankar met his Japanese counterpart, Mr. Takeshi Iway, and held “comprehensive discussions on infrastructure, investment, and mobility”. “Our special, strategic and global partnership continues to deepen and diversify,” said the External Affairs Minister.
Ms. Wong echoed Mr. Rubio’s earlier remarks and described the Indo-Pacific as the region where the “future of the 21st century is being shaped”. “Unfortunately, we meet in the backdrop of conflict and of escalating competition,” said Ms. Wong, arguing that in the backdrop of various conflicts, it was necessary to harness the Quad’s “collective strength for peace, stability and prosperity for the Indo-Pacific and for our people.”
She also noted that the Quad partners mobilised quickly to help Myanmar in the backdrop of the devastating earthquake that hit the country in March. Mr. Rubio mentioned that the Quad could “focus and build upon” the global supply chain of critical minerals.
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