US, Australia flag commitment to Quad

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, September 17

Though the US and Australia have inked a new security partnership with the UK dubbed ‘AUKUS’, they signalled continued commitment to the Quad, a four-nation grouping that also includes India and Japan.

“The US and Australia are committed to regular Quad engagement at all levels, including the second Leaders’ Summit scheduled for September 24, said a joint statement issued in Washington after a Two Plus Two meeting between the Foreign and Defence Ministers of both countries late on Thursday.

The statement recognised the importance of the Quad as well as that of Japan, especially in a Trilateral Infrastructure Partnership with the US and Australia.

The nod to Quad’s importance came along with substantial mention of Taiwan, a subject that was also aired during the last meeting of senior officials of Quad on August 12.

The ministers also commended the Quad Climate Working Group which, they said, was “an effective platform of collaboration” to help advance practical efforts to achieve climate goals across the Indo-Pacific region.

Though the US and Australia devoted a short sentence on the human rights situation in China, they dwelt on the situation in Xinjiang and spoke of Taiwan’s important role in the Indo-Pacific region.

They expressed their intent to strengthen ties with Taiwan and emphasised their support for Taiwan’s meaningful participation in international organisations, as a member where statehood is not a prerequisite and as an observer or guest where statehood is a prerequisite for membership.