Quad Urges Swift Action to Bring Pahalgam Attackers to Justice.

 Quad Urges Swift Action to Bring Pahalgam Attackers to Justice.

Washington, D.C. — The foreign ministers of the Quad grouping — India, the United States, Australia, and Japan — have strongly condemned the recent terror attack in Pahalgam, calling for those responsible to be brought to justice without delay. The joint statement, issued late Tuesday after a meeting in Washington, reflects the group’s united stance against terrorism and its renewed focus on security issues in the Indo-Pacific region.

The meeting, hosted by U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, included Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong, and Japan’s Foreign Minister Iwaya Takeshi. It comes in the run-up to the Quad Summit, which is expected to be held in India this November.

“The Quad unequivocally condemns all acts of terrorism and violent extremism, including cross-border terrorism,” the statement read. “We urge for the perpetrators, organisers, and financiers of the Pahalgam attack to be swiftly brought to justice.”

The group also called on all UN member states to cooperate fully under international law and relevant UN Security Council resolutions (UNSCRs) in holding those responsible accountable. Notably, the statement referred to "relevant authorities" rather than specifically naming Indian authorities — mirroring language used in the UNSCR passed in April 2025, shortly after the attack occurred.

Ahead of the meeting, Minister Jaishankar emphasized that India expects its Quad partners to understand its position and support its right to defend its citizens from terrorism.

This was the first formal Quad Foreign Ministers’ Meeting since the new U.S. administration under President Donald Trump took office. The four ministers had previously met informally in January during Trump’s inauguration, but Tuesday’s meeting marked the beginning of a more formal round of diplomatic engagements under the current administration.

In a marked shift from previous joint statements — particularly under former President Joe Biden — this latest Quad declaration omitted any reference to the Russia-Ukraine war or the ongoing Israel-Gaza conflict, reflecting a more regionally focused approach centered on Indo-Pacific issues.

While China was not mentioned directly, the ministers expressed “serious concerns” over tensions in the East China Sea and South China Sea. They reiterated their opposition to any unilateral attempts to alter the status quo by force or coercion, signaling continued concern over Beijing’s assertive posture in the region.

The Quad’s message was clear: security, especially in the Indo-Pacific, remains a top priority — and terrorism, in any form, will be met with firm resistance and collective resolve.