The war in Ukraine has become a "global issue" with ramifications far beyond Europe. This was seen during the meeting held today in Tokyo by the leaders of the Quad group (United States, Japan, India and Australia), who concluded that "unilateral and forced changes of the 'status quo'" should not be allowed in any world, including the Indo-Pacific region where their interests converge.
In their speeches today, both the US president, Joe Biden, and the Japanese prime minister, Fumio Kishida, highlighted the need to prevent "a war like the one started by Russia" from taking place in that region, an aggression that they branded as "horrible". ” and “inhuman”. "More than a European issue, it is a global issue," stressed the American.
In their second face-to-face meeting, the members of this group promoted by Washington agreed on concrete initiatives to expand their cooperation in the areas of maritime security, climate change, global health and infrastructure, among others.
At its conclusion, they issued a joint statement rejecting "any attempt to change the 'status quo' and to disrupt stability or peace anywhere in the world." In addition, the quartet is committed to promoting its principles - freedom, rule of law, territorial integrity and peaceful resolution of conflicts - and addressing the "tragic humanitarian crisis" and the "implications for the Indo-Pacific" arising from the war. .
However, that final text did not include any condemnation or express mention of Moscow, something that is attributed to India's participation in the forum. Since the conflict began, the country led by Narendra Modi has maintained a position of neutrality and has refrained from openly criticizing Russia, with whom it has close commercial and arms ties.
Asked about the subject, Kishida admitted that during the meeting "perhaps there were different positions" in some aspects, although he stressed the importance of having agreed on a common message of solidarity in defense of international law and against unilateral aggression.
The other long shadow that hung over the meeting was that of China, a country that accuses the Quad of aspiring to become a "mini-NATO" of the Pacific. Not surprisingly, each of the members has their own disputes with the Asian giant, and all are suspicious of its growing power and influence in the region.
Although without mentioning Beijing directly, the quartet condemned "the militarization of disputed areas, the dangerous use of coastguard and maritime militia vessels, and efforts to hinder the activities of other countries to exploit resources at sea," accusations launched in the past against the Asian giant.
To contain its geostrategic boom, the four leaders also agreed on initiatives such as a plan to strengthen cooperation with the Pacific island countries and support their development or the commitment to disburse 50,000 million dollars over the next five years to finance regional infrastructure projects.
The gesture towards these island nations occurs in a context of growing tension due to the approach of some of them to Beijing, such as the security agreement recently signed between China and the Solomon Islands, which includes defense assistance.
Precisely, the Solomon Islands government confirmed today that the Chinese Foreign Minister, Wang Yi, will visit them this week, with whom they will sign a series of "important" bilateral agreements. In addition to his capital, Honiara, the Chinese foreign minister will tour with a 20-member delegation to other Pacific nations, including Fiji, Papua New Guinea, Kiribati, Tonga, Samoa and East Timor.
Tuesday's summit also marked the coming-out of the new Australian Prime Minister, Anthony Albanese. The leader of the Labor Party won the general election held last Saturday, ending nearly a decade of Conservative rule in Canberra.
