Quad officials meet in New Delhi to advance Indo-Pacific cooperation PHOTO

Senior officials from India, Australia, Japan and the United States met in New Delhi on September 3 for a Quad Sherpas’ meeting focused on strengthening cooperation across the Indo-Pacific.

India’s Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri hosted the meeting, which brought together senior representatives from the three other Quad members: Australia’s Elly Lawson, Japan’s Senior Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs Hiroyuki Namazu and U.S. Special Envoy to South and Central Asia and Ambassador to India Sergio Gor, Caliber.Az reports via the US Department of State.

The meeting followed the Quad Foreign Ministers’ Meeting held in New Delhi on May 26 and was aimed at advancing the outcomes of that gathering and preparing for the next meeting of the four countries’ foreign ministers.

The officials reviewed progress on existing Quad initiatives and discussed measures to expand practical cooperation, reaffirming their commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific.

Key areas discussed included maritime and transnational security, economic prosperity and security, critical and emerging technologies, and humanitarian assistance and emergency response.

The officials also exchanged views on developments across the Indo-Pacific, as well as broader regional and global issues affecting the four countries.

The Quad Sherpas emphasised the importance of delivering concrete, action-oriented initiatives and agreed to maintain consultations ahead of the next Quad Foreign Ministers’ Meeting.

By Sabina Mammadli