During the fourth in-person Quad Leaders’ Summit in Wilmington, Delaware, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, US President Joe Biden, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida expressed serious concerns about coercive actions in the South China Sea.
In their joint declaration, the leaders condemned efforts to disrupt the offshore resource activities of other nations and emphasized that maritime disputes should be resolved peacefully and in line with international law.
“We are deeply troubled by the situation in the East and South China Seas,” the Quad Wilmington Declaration stated. “We continue to express our serious concern over the militarization of disputed areas and the use of coercive tactics in the South China Sea. We condemn the dangerous maneuvers by coast guard and maritime militia vessels and oppose actions that disrupt the resource exploitation activities of other countries. It is essential that maritime disputes be resolved peacefully and in accordance with international law, particularly the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).”
The leaders reiterated their commitment to upholding international law, emphasizing the importance of sovereignty and territorial integrity to maintain peace and stability in maritime areas. They highlighted the significance of UNCLOS as the legal framework governing activities in oceans and seas and acknowledged the 2016 Arbitral Award on the South China Sea as a critical step toward resolving disputes peacefully.
The Quad leaders also reaffirmed their dedication to collaborating with Pacific island nations to meet shared goals and address common challenges. They expressed commitment to enhancing cooperation in the Indian Ocean region and recognized India’s leadership in finalizing the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA) Outlook on the Indo-Pacific.
Amid escalating tensions in the region, particularly concerning Taiwan and the Philippines, the Quad foreign ministers had previously voiced concerns about the situation in the East and South China Seas and opposed any unilateral actions aimed at altering the status quo through force or coercion.
While hosting the summit, President Biden announced several initiatives aimed at positively impacting the Indo-Pacific, including the provision of new maritime technologies to Quad partners.
This summit marks a significant moment as it serves as a ‘farewell’ meeting for both President Biden and Prime Minister Kishida, who will soon step down from their respective positions. The Quad, a diplomatic alliance of Australia, India, Japan, and the United States, has held multiple summits since its first virtual meeting in 2021, with subsequent in-person gatherings in Washington, Japan, and Hiroshima.
