Washington DC: The ongoing tensions in the South China Sea took centre stage at the latest Quad Foreign Ministers’ Meeting, as India, the United States, Australia, and Japan reaffirmed their collective resolve to preserve peace, stability, and lawful conduct in the vital maritime corridor. The discussions reflect growing unease among the four strategic partners over China’s assertive posture in disputed waters.
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, speaking after the meeting, confirmed that the South China Sea featured prominently in the dialogue. He described it as a “shared priority” for the Quad, given the region’s significance to global trade, energy security, and geopolitical stability. “How to ensure the area remains calm and free of conflict is a matter of collective concern,” Jaishankar said.
The Quad’s joint statement issued following the meeting sent a strong signal, condemning any unilateral attempts to alter the status quo through force or coercion. While not naming China directly, the language clearly pointed to recent incidents involving Chinese coast guard vessels, military aircraft, and maritime militias in contested waters.
Among the incidents highlighted were unsafe manoeuvres, including the use of water cannons, ramming, and blockade tactics, actions that the Quad described as provocative and dangerous. The statement also expressed alarm over the militarisation of disputed features, a reference to artificial island construction and deployment of military assets in contested zones.
The ministers reiterated their commitment to freedom of navigation, overflight, and unimpeded commerce, as enshrined in the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). They emphasised the importance of resolving disputes peacefully and in accordance with international law, rather than through intimidation or military pressure.
The meeting also touched on the broader strategic environment in the Indo-Pacific, focusing on strengthening maritime security cooperation, infrastructure partnerships, and resilience against coercive tactics by authoritarian states. Officials discussed enhancing the Quad’s role in ensuring a rules-based order, defending territorial sovereignty, and supporting regional connectivity and development initiatives that offer alternatives to state-led debt diplomacy.
Though the South China Sea remains a flashpoint, the Quad appears increasingly unified in both tone and intent. The renewed emphasis on collective deterrence, diplomatic engagement, and adherence to international norms suggests the grouping is evolving from a consultative forum into a more assertive security-oriented partnership.
As Jaishankar noted, “The Quad is not directed against any country, but it is committed to defending the principles of international law and the sovereign rights of all nations.” With tensions rising in the Indo-Pacific, the group’s next steps may determine whether dialogue or confrontation shapes the future of regional diplomacy.
