India, Australia, Japan, US call for an open Indo-Pacific region

Senior officials of India, US, Japan and Australia met in Bangkok today to hold consultations on their collective efforts for a free, open and inclusive Indo-Pacific region and reaffirmed their shared commitment to preserving and promoting the rules-based order in the region. 

According to an official statement from US, the four countries underscored their intent to continue close coordination and collaboration in support of sustainable, private



sector-led development, maritime security and good governance. The consultations were part of the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (Quad) an informal strategic grouping consisting of India, US, Australia and Japan.

China has been trying to expand its military presence in the Indo-Pacific which is a biogeographic region. China claims almost all of the South China Sea whereas Vietnam, Philippines, Malaysia, Brunei and Taiwan have also counter claims over it.