The Quad nations — India, the United States, Japan, and Australia — strongly condemned the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, calling for the perpetrators to be swiftly brought to justice. The joint condemnation was part of a comprehensive statement issued after the Quad Foreign Ministers’ Meeting held in Washington on Tuesday.
“The Quad unequivocally condemns all acts of terrorism and violent extremism in all its forms and manifestations, including cross-border terrorism,” the joint statement read. The ministers expressed their “deepest condolences” to the families of the 25 Indian nationals and one Nepali citizen who lost their lives in the Pahalgam attack, and extended wishes for the speedy recovery of the injured.
They urged all UN member states to cooperate with relevant authorities, in accordance with international law and UN Security Council resolutions, to ensure those responsible for organizing, financing, or executing the attack are brought to justice.
The statement also marked the launch of several key initiatives to enhance cooperation in the Indo-Pacific, particularly in the areas of economic security, critical infrastructure, and disaster response:
- Quad Critical Minerals Initiative: A major effort to secure and diversify global supply chains of critical minerals vital for clean energy, defence, and emerging technologies.
- Quad Ports of the Future Partnership: Scheduled for launch in Mumbai, this initiative aims to modernize port infrastructure and strengthen maritime connectivity across the region.
- Quad Indo-Pacific Logistics Network: The grouping will host its first field training exercise this year to boost joint airlift capacity and improve response times during humanitarian disasters.
The foreign ministers noted the Quad’s collective contribution of over USD 30 million in humanitarian aid following the devastating earthquake in central Myanmar in March 2025. They reiterated their commitment to countering disinformation and resisting foreign interference in Indo-Pacific affairs.
The Quad leaders also expressed concern over the escalating crisis in Myanmar, urging the military regime to uphold its ceasefire commitment and support ASEAN’s Five-Point Consensus toward a peaceful and inclusive resolution. The grouping reaffirmed its backing for free humanitarian access and warned of the growing impact of transnational crimes in the region.
The statement concluded with a reaffirmation of the Quad’s central goal: to advance a free, open, inclusive, and resilient Indo-Pacific through democratic values and mutual cooperation. The leaders also looked forward to the next Quad Leaders’ Summit, to be hosted by India later this year, and the subsequent Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in Australia in 2026.
