Quad Sherpas Meet in New Delhi
Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri hosted a meeting of the Quad Sherpas in New Delhi on Thursday. The meeting brought together senior representatives from India, Australia, Japan and the United States to discuss ways to strengthen cooperation among the four countries.
The Quad is a grouping of India, Australia, Japan and the US. The four countries work together on issues related to security, economic development, technology and stability in the Indo-Pacific region.
Focus on Key Areas of Cooperation
During the meeting, the Sherpas discussed several important areas where the four countries can work together.
Maritime security was one of the key topics. The countries discussed the importance of maintaining a free, open and secure Indo-Pacific region. Cooperation at sea is important for protecting shipping routes and supporting regional stability.
The Sherpas also discussed ways to deal with transnational crime, which includes criminal activities that cross international borders. Better cooperation and information sharing can help countries respond more effectively to such threats.
Economic Growth and New Technologies
Economic growth and stability were also part of the discussions. The representatives looked at ways to strengthen economic cooperation and create opportunities for sustainable growth among Quad countries and across the wider Indo-Pacific region.
The meeting also focused on advanced and emerging technologies. The four countries are interested in working together in areas such as critical technologies, digital systems and innovation.
The Sherpas discussed how technology cooperation can support economic development while also helping countries deal with new security challenges.
Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Response
Another important topic was humanitarian assistance during emergencies. Natural disasters and other emergencies can affect large numbers of people, making quick international support important.
The Quad countries discussed the need to improve coordination so that assistance can reach affected communities more quickly during disasters and humanitarian emergencies.
Discussion on the Indo-Pacific
The Sherpas also exchanged views on recent developments in the Indo-Pacific region. They discussed how changes in the region could affect wider global security, economic stability and international cooperation.
The four countries emphasized the importance of working together to respond to common challenges and support stability in the region.
Focus on Practical Action
The representatives agreed that Quad cooperation should focus on practical and actionable measures. Instead of limiting cooperation to discussions, the countries want to take concrete steps that can produce results.
The Sherpas also expressed their readiness to continue working together before the next Quad Foreign Ministers’ Meeting.
The latest meeting was held as a follow-up to the earlier Quad Foreign Ministers’ Meeting, which took place in New Delhi on May 26. The Sherpa-level discussions are expected to help prepare the ground for further cooperation and future decisions by the foreign ministers.
Representatives From Four Countries Attend
Senior representatives from all four Quad countries attended the meeting.
India was represented by Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri. Australia was represented by Elly Lawson, Japan by Hiroyuki Namazu, and the United States by Sergio Gor.
Their participation highlighted the continued effort by the four countries to maintain close communication and cooperation on regional and global issues.
Quad Cooperation to Continue
The New Delhi meeting shows the Quad’s continued focus on practical cooperation in areas such as maritime security, economic development, technology, disaster response and regional stability.
The four countries are expected to continue discussions in the coming months as they prepare for the next meeting of their foreign ministers. The group aims to strengthen cooperation and address common challenges affecting the Indo-Pacific and the wider international community.