Quad Condemns Kashmir Attack, Stresses South China Sea

At the Quad Foreign Ministers' Meeting in Washington, representatives from the United States, India, Australia, and Japan jointly condemned the April 22 militant attack in India-administered Kashmir that killed 26 people, calling for swift justice and urging international cooperation through the United Nations. The ministers also identified the South China Sea as a major security concern, opposing unilateral actions to alter the status quo and advocating for freedom of navigation in accordance with international law. Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar emphasized India's right to defend itself and reaffirmed that disputes with Pakistan should be resolved bilaterally, without external mediation. The Quad's statements highlighted a unified stance on preventing conflict, maintaining regional stability, and countering violent extremism. The summary omits previous references to India-Pakistan military escalation, cross-border hostilities, and the role of U.S. mediation in a ceasefire.