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Quad Foreign Ministers Meet: India presses for territorial integrity and sovereignty

The QUAD coalition (India, Australia, Japan and the United States) which is seen by China suspiciously has been calling for "free and open" Indo Pacific.

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India's External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar has called for "respect for territorial integrity and sovereignty and peaceful resolution of disputes" at the Quad Foreign ministers meet in Tokyo. 

The statement fo the external affairs minister comes in the midst of India-China standoff along the Line of Actual Control in Eastern Ladakh.

Quad or the Quadrilateral coalition comprises a group of 4 countries-- India, Australia, Japan and the United States. The coalition which is seen by China suspiciously has been calling for "free and open" Indo Pacific.

Jaishankar highlighted "vibrant and pluralistic democracies with shared values". Quad member states have "collectively affirmed the importance of maintaining a free, open and inclusive Indo-Pacific" and "remain committed to upholding the rules-based international order, underpinned by the rule of law, transparency, freedom of navigation in the international seas"

China that has been in a state of conflict with each Quad countries in some way or the other has been staking claim to 90% of South China Sea, irking ASEAN countries and drawing sharp reactions from Washington and New Delhi. Many countries have been reiterating calls for freedom of navigation in the South China Sea amid Beijing's claims.

The external affairs minister explained, "Our objective remains to advance security and economic interests of all countries having legitimate and vital interests in the region". He also expressed satisfaction that the Indo-Pacific concept has gained increasingly wider acceptance. 

ASEAN and Germany are among other blocks, countries to acknowledge the concept.

He said, "Events this year have clearly demonstrated how imperative it is for like-minded countries to coordinate responses to the various challenges that the pandemic has brought to the fore"

"You are all aware that India assumes membership of the UN Security Council next year. We look forward to seeking collective solutions to global challenges, including global recovery from the pandemic and reform of multilateral institutions," Jaishankar further added.

This is the 2nd Quad FMs meet, the last one happened in New York. The meet this year is the first in-person of Quad FMs and comes amidst China's aggression with its neighbours.

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