QUAD meet: US Secy says Russia's aggression over Ukraine has implications on Indo-Pacific

threat of Russia's invasion of Ukraine has implications for Indo-Pacific region, according to US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, despite fact that it is taking place "half a world away." Blinken, while dressing  press conference in Melbourne with his Qurilateral Security Dialogue (QU) counterparts from India, Australia and Japan, said that Moscow's "dangerous actions" and support from certain nations threaten democratic norms.

He told reporters at a press conference following negotiations that, "What's at stake is not simply as important as Ukraine's territorial integrity and sovereignty, its independence, but very basic principles established after two world wars and a Cold War."

He furr remarked that se principles have helped countries around world achieve security, peace, and prosperity. Blinken gave several examples, stating that one country cannot simply modify anor's borders by force, nor can one country dictate what policies and partners ors should have.

"If we allow those principles to be challenged with impunity, even if it's a half world away in Europe, that will have an impact here (Indo-Pacific) as well," he continued, "Ors are watching. Ors are looking to all of us to see how we respond."

QU summit on Friday took place at a moment of high geopolitical tension, with Russia maintaining a large military presence along Ukrainian border and China expanding its regional influence. Russian President Vlimir Putin h just returned from Olympics in Beijing, where Chinese President Xi Jinping endorsed his requests for security assurances from West.

Moreover, talking over free and open Indo-Pacific, US secretary, Antony Blinken stated that, "Back in Dec, I was Jakarta & I set US' vision for a free & open Indo-Pacific which more than any or region will shape trajectory of 21st century. We talk about a free & open Indo-Pacific a lot. It's worth spending a second on what that actually means for us."

EAM Jaishankar calls QU Meet 'Vibrant & Substantial Framework' for Shared Vision

Qurilateral Security Dialogue (QU) is a vibrant and substantial platform for supporting shared goal of a free, open, and inclusive Indo-Pacific, according to External Affairs Minister, Dr. S Jaishankar. He also stated that QU will continue to support ASEAN countries in maintaining regional peace, stability, and prosperity. Jaishankar delivered se statements during fourth QU Foreign Ministers' Meeting in Melbourne. Australia hosted meeting, which aimed to improve cooperation in areas such as security, COVID-19 pandemic, and Indo-Pacific region.

"Strong bilateral links between our respective countries, strategic convergences, and shared democratic ideals have all combined to make QU a vibrant and substantial framework, as evident by our interactions," Jaishankar stated. 

Furr, Australian Foreign Minister Marise Payne, at press conference, said that  relationship between China and Russia is "concerning," since it doesn't portray or symbolise a global order that fits with those objectives for freedom, openness, sovereignty, and territorial integrity protection. Following New York in 2019, Tokyo in October 2020, and a virtual meeting in February 2021, QU foreign ministers met for fourth time on Friday. Coronavirus vaccine distribution, technology, and cybersecurity were among or topics considered.

Image: AP