'Seriously concerned': Quad ministers flag dangerous manoeuvres, militarisation in South and East China Seas
The foreign ministers of India, the United States, Japan and Australia on Tuesday expressed serious concern over developments in the South China Sea and the East China Sea, flagging dangerous military manoeuvres, obstruction of freedom of navigation, and the militarisation of disputed features in the region.
The statement was issued after the Quad Foreign Ministers' Meeting held in New Delhi under India's chairmanship.
Also read: Is Quad the Asian NATO or ocean foam? What Delhi meet reveals
The ministers said they remained "seriously concerned about the situation in the East China Sea and the South China Sea," and reiterated strong opposition to "any destabilising or unilateral actions including by force or coercion that threaten peace and stability in the region."
The statement flagged "dangerous and coercive actions, including interference with offshore resource development, the repeated obstruction of freedom 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 flares, and ramming or blocking actions in the South China Sea." The ministers also expressed serious concern over the militarisation of disputed features.
The grouping emphasised that maritime disputes must be resolved peacefully and in accordance with the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), reiterating that the award rendered ten years ago by the Arbitral Tribunal remains "a significant milestone and the basis for peacefully resolving disputes between the parties."
Hormuz and Red Sea
The ministers flagged that disruptions to maritime transport and supply chains carry "far-reaching consequences for global fuel, food and fertilizer security as well as the safety of seafarers." On the Middle East, the grouping reiterated the importance of adhering to UNCLOS with respect to the safety and uninterrupted flow of global commerce through the Strait of Hormuz and the Red Sea, condemned attacks on commercial shipping vessels, and opposed "any future measures that are inconsistent with UNCLOS, including imposition of tolls."
Pahalgam and counter-terrorism
The ministers unequivocally condemned terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, "including cross-border terrorism and the horrific terrorist attacks perpetrated at Pahalgam in India on 22 April 2025, and Bondi Beach in Australia on 14 December 2025." They called for decisive and sustained international efforts to combat terrorism in accordance with international law, including action against globally proscribed terrorists and terror entities and their proxies, affiliates, sponsors and financiers. The statement did not name Pakistan.
North Korea
The ministers reaffirmed commitment to the complete denuclearisation of North Korea in accordance with relevant UN Security Council resolutions, condemned North Korea's unlawful development of ballistic missiles and weapons of mass destruction, and expressed grave concern over its malicious cyber activities and IT worker activities that fund its weapons programs. The statement also expressed deep concern about countries deepening military cooperation with North Korea, saying it "directly undermines the global non-proliferation regime."
New frameworks on minerals, energy and cables
Flagging grave concerns over economic coercion, non-market policies, arbitrary export restrictions and disruptions to critical minerals supply chains, the ministers announced the Quad Critical Minerals Framework to coordinate investment in mining, processing and recycling. A separate Quad Initiative on Indo-Pacific Energy Security was launched, with partners committing to ensure open, well-functioning and stable energy markets and resilient supply chains.
Also read: Quad’s 5-step push for Indo-Pacific cooperation unveiled at Delhi meeting
On digital infrastructure, the ministers called trusted undersea cable systems the backbone of the global digital economy and emphasised the need to protect cable networks from threats and sabotage. Quad partners said they had provided support to ensure all Pacific Island Forum countries are connected via undersea cables by 2026.
New maritime surveillance body
The ministers welcomed India's operationalisation of the Indian Ocean Region programme under the Quad Indo-Pacific Partnership for Maritime Domain Awareness through the Information Fusion Centre in Gurugram, and announced the Indo-Pacific Maritime Surveillance Collaboration (IPMSC) to enable real-time information sharing and enhanced vessel tracking across the Indo-Pacific. India will also host the next Quad-at-Sea Ship Observer Mission, following the first such mission from Palau to Guam in July 2025.
Online scams and Myanmar
The ministers flagged concern over the proliferation of online scam centres in Southeast Asia, linking them to trafficking in persons, drug trafficking, sexual extortion and illicit financing, and pledged deeper law enforcement cooperation. On Myanmar, the statement called for an immediate cessation of violence, the release of those unjustly detained, and dialogue between all parties.
The statement was issued after the Quad Foreign Ministers' Meeting held in New Delhi under India's chairmanship.
Also read: Is Quad the Asian NATO or ocean foam? What Delhi meet reveals
The ministers said they remained "seriously concerned about the situation in the East China Sea and the South China Sea," and reiterated strong opposition to "any destabilising or unilateral actions including by force or coercion that threaten peace and stability in the region."
The statement flagged "dangerous and coercive actions, including interference with offshore resource development, the repeated obstruction of freedom 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 flares, and ramming or blocking actions in the South China Sea." The ministers also expressed serious concern over the militarisation of disputed features.
The grouping emphasised that maritime disputes must be resolved peacefully and in accordance with the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), reiterating that the award rendered ten years ago by the Arbitral Tribunal remains "a significant milestone and the basis for peacefully resolving disputes between the parties."
Hormuz and Red Sea
The ministers flagged that disruptions to maritime transport and supply chains carry "far-reaching consequences for global fuel, food and fertilizer security as well as the safety of seafarers." On the Middle East, the grouping reiterated the importance of adhering to UNCLOS with respect to the safety and uninterrupted flow of global commerce through the Strait of Hormuz and the Red Sea, condemned attacks on commercial shipping vessels, and opposed "any future measures that are inconsistent with UNCLOS, including imposition of tolls."
Pahalgam and counter-terrorism
The ministers unequivocally condemned terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, "including cross-border terrorism and the horrific terrorist attacks perpetrated at Pahalgam in India on 22 April 2025, and Bondi Beach in Australia on 14 December 2025." They called for decisive and sustained international efforts to combat terrorism in accordance with international law, including action against globally proscribed terrorists and terror entities and their proxies, affiliates, sponsors and financiers. The statement did not name Pakistan.
North Korea
The ministers reaffirmed commitment to the complete denuclearisation of North Korea in accordance with relevant UN Security Council resolutions, condemned North Korea's unlawful development of ballistic missiles and weapons of mass destruction, and expressed grave concern over its malicious cyber activities and IT worker activities that fund its weapons programs. The statement also expressed deep concern about countries deepening military cooperation with North Korea, saying it "directly undermines the global non-proliferation regime."
New frameworks on minerals, energy and cables
Flagging grave concerns over economic coercion, non-market policies, arbitrary export restrictions and disruptions to critical minerals supply chains, the ministers announced the Quad Critical Minerals Framework to coordinate investment in mining, processing and recycling. A separate Quad Initiative on Indo-Pacific Energy Security was launched, with partners committing to ensure open, well-functioning and stable energy markets and resilient supply chains.
Also read: Quad’s 5-step push for Indo-Pacific cooperation unveiled at Delhi meeting
On digital infrastructure, the ministers called trusted undersea cable systems the backbone of the global digital economy and emphasised the need to protect cable networks from threats and sabotage. Quad partners said they had provided support to ensure all Pacific Island Forum countries are connected via undersea cables by 2026.
New maritime surveillance body
The ministers welcomed India's operationalisation of the Indian Ocean Region programme under the Quad Indo-Pacific Partnership for Maritime Domain Awareness through the Information Fusion Centre in Gurugram, and announced the Indo-Pacific Maritime Surveillance Collaboration (IPMSC) to enable real-time information sharing and enhanced vessel tracking across the Indo-Pacific. India will also host the next Quad-at-Sea Ship Observer Mission, following the first such mission from Palau to Guam in July 2025.
Online scams and Myanmar
The ministers flagged concern over the proliferation of online scam centres in Southeast Asia, linking them to trafficking in persons, drug trafficking, sexual extortion and illicit financing, and pledged deeper law enforcement cooperation. On Myanmar, the statement called for an immediate cessation of violence, the release of those unjustly detained, and dialogue between all parties.
