Senior officials from Australia's Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade met representatives from the foreign ministries of India, Japan and the United States in Bangkok on 4 November for 'Quad' consultations on the Indo-Pacific. The senior officials' meeting followed the inaugural Quad Foreign Ministers' Meeting on 26 September in New York.
Officials reaffirmed their collective interest in an open, prosperous, rules-based and inclusive Indo-Pacific region, in which international law and the rights of all states are respected.
They committed to continue economic and security coordination in support of regional stability and economic growth in the Indo-Pacific. They agreed the Quad would enhance practical regional cooperation in fields such as maritime, counter-terrorism, cyber, and humanitarian assistance and disaster relief.
Participants discussed the role of quality, sustainable and transparent infrastructure development in improving economic growth, connectivity, sustainable development and integration in our region. They agreed to strengthen cooperation with regional partners and bodies, including in the Mekong sub-region, to promote infrastructure development in line with the G20 Principles for Quality Infrastructure Investment.
Officials reaffirmed their strong commitment to ASEAN centrality and the ASEAN-led regional architecture, and expressed support for ASEAN's adoption of the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific. They commended Thailand's Chairmanship of ASEAN in 2019 and looked forward to Vietnam's Chairmanship in 2020.
The four countries committed to continue regular consultations, including at ministerial level, and practical cooperation in support of a stable and prosperous Indo-Pacific.