The US, Australia, India and Japan reaffirmed their commitment to stopping the hostilities of the Chinese regime in the Indo-Pacific
The new administration of the president of USA, donald trumphe announced together with his partners from the Quad —strategic alliance made up of Australia, Japan, India and USA— planning a leaders’ summit to be held this year in New Delhi.
This was confirmed this Tuesday by the foreign ministers of the four countries in a joint statement after a meeting in Washington.
”We look forward to advancing the work of the Quad in the coming months and will meet regularly as we prepare for the next Quad Leaders Summit hosted by India”the foreign ministers expressed in the text, highlighting the commitment to strengthen cooperation in maritime, economic and technological security in the face of growing threats in the region, in an implicit allusion to China.
The meeting marks the first meeting of the Secretary of State for USA, Marco Rubioin his new position, just one day before Trump’s inauguration.
Rubio, accompanied by his counterparts, emphasized the need to promote a “Free and open Indo-Pacific”a term that has been used for years as a diplomatic counterweight to Beijing’s actions.
The summit in India, scheduled for this year, would involve one of Trump’s first international visits in his second term.
The relationship between the American president and the Indian prime minister, Narendra Modiwas strong since Trump’s previous term, when both participated in mass events, such as a joint rally at a cricket stadium in India.
In the joint statement, the ministers also spoke out against “unilateral actions that seek to change the status quo by force or coercion”a statement that reflects the growing tensions with China in the South Sea and on the situation of Taiwan.
The Quad, an initiative originally proposed by the late former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abeevolved in recent years, consolidating itself as a forum of leaders under the mandate of the former president Joe Biden. However, China criticized the alliance, calling it an attempt to USA for “enclosing” its expansion in Asia.
Tensions between Beijing and neighboring countries, including US allies such as the Philippines, have intensified over territorial claims in the South Sea, while on other fronts, the US has sought to reassert its influence in the face of what it sees as a growing threat from Beijing to the sovereignty of the region.
During his confirmation hearing, Blond reiterated its commitment to deter any attempt at a Chinese invasion of the island, considered by Beijing as part of its territory.
The official, a three-term senator, took office with a promise to defend American diplomats, while aligning himself with the vision of “America First” by Trump.
“We hope to work with other countries when our interests align, but never at the expense of our national security,” said Rubio, who also anticipated changes in the State Department, with the departure of several career diplomats due to the arrival of new appointments. policies under the Trump administration.
(With information from EFE and AFP)
