Unrest in the South China Sea: A 'Grave Concern' for the Quad

The simmering tensions in the South China Sea are a significant worry for the Quad nations – the United States, India, Australia, and Japan – as highlighted by India's External Affairs Minister, S. Jaishankar, during a recent meeting in Washington. For these four influential countries, ensuring the waterway remains peaceful and free from conflict is a top priority, given their shared interests in regional stability.

Jaishankar emphasized that discussions around the South China Sea were central to the Quad Foreign Ministers' gathering. "On South China Sea, there was some discussion as it is an issue of great concern… The issue is to find a solution to the disputes pertaining to that," he stated. He further underscored the collective stake, explaining, "The Quad members all have a shared interest because for us it’s a very important international waterway; how to ensure that it stays calm and free of conflict is something which is a common priority."

A United Front Against Coercion

Following the high-level talks, the Quad members issued a powerful joint statement, unequivocally denouncing any unilateral attempts to alter the status quo through force or coercion. The statement conveyed serious apprehension regarding the situations in both the East and South China Seas.

"We reiterate our strong opposition to any unilateral actions that seek to change the status quo by force or coercion," the statement affirmed. It also detailed specific alarming behaviors, including "dangerous and provocative actions, including interference with offshore resource development, the repeated obstruction of the freedoms of navigation and overflight, and the dangerous manoeuvres by military aircraft and coast guard and maritime militia vessels, especially the unsafe use of water cannons and ramming or blocking actions in the South China Sea."

These actions, the statement warned, directly threaten regional peace and stability, pointing to serious concerns about the militarization of disputed features. The Quad nations collectively stressed the critical importance of upholding fundamental principles like freedom of navigation and overflight, other lawful uses of the sea, and unimpeded commerce, all in strict accordance with international law, as enshrined in the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

Defending the Rule of Law in the Indo-Pacific

Beyond the immediate concerns, the Quad foreign ministers reiterated their firm commitment to defending the rule of law, sovereignty, and territorial integrity across the entire Indo-Pacific region. "We are committed to a region where all countries are free from coercion and strongly oppose any unilateral actions that seek to change the status quo by force or coercion," the statement declared.

The meeting also served as a platform for the leaders to delve into the various challenges and opportunities present in the Indo-Pacific. They explored avenues to further leverage the Quad's collective strength to advance peace, security, and prosperity, working in close partnership with regional allies