India, Japan, U.S., Australia hold first ‘Quad’ talks at Manila ahead of ASEAN Summit

India on Sunday held the first official-level discussion under the newly boosted regional coalition known as the ‘Quad’, the quadrilateral formation including Japan, India, United States and Australia.

A press release issued by the Ministry of External Affairs stated that ‘open’ and inclusive regional vision and anti-terrorism cooperation were discussed at the quadrilateral where India elaborated on the concept of Indo-Pacific region.

“The discussions focused on cooperation based on their converging vision and values for promotion of peace, stability and prosperity in an increasingly inter-connected region that they share with each other and with other partners,” the Ministry of External Affairs said in a statement issued on Sunday after the official-level meeting.

“They agreed that a free, open, prosperous and inclusive Indo-Pacific region serves the long-term interests of all countries in the region and of the world at large. The officials also exchanged views on addressing common challenges of terrorism and proliferation linkages impacting the region as well as on enhancing connectivity,” the statement said.