New Delhi

The Quad nations on Tuesday placed counter-terrorism at the centre of their strategic agenda, strongly condemning cross-border terrorism and calling for coordinated international action against terror groups, their backers and financial networks. The grouping also announced fresh initiatives related to maritime surveillance, digital connectivity and resilient supply chains across the Indo-Pacific region.

The issues were discussed during the 11th Quad Foreign Ministers’ Meeting held at Hyderabad House in New Delhi and chaired by External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar. The meeting was attended by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong and Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi.

Following the talks, MEA Additional Secretary Nagaraj Naidu briefed the media on the key outcomes of the discussions. He said the Quad countries are intensifying cooperation to deal with evolving security threats while continuing to strengthen maritime and digital partnerships.

Naidu stated that combating terrorism remains a core area of collaboration within the Quad framework. He said the ministers condemned terrorism in all forms, including cross-border terrorism, and specifically referred to the April 2025 terror attack in Pahalgam. He also stressed the need for sustained global action against terrorist organisations and their financiers.

In a joint statement issued after the meeting, the Quad nations strongly denounced recent terror incidents in Jammu and Kashmir and Australia, reiterating their commitment to maintaining peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region.

The statement specifically mentioned the April 22, 2025 terror attack in Pahalgam and the Bondi Beach attack in Australia in December 2025. The four countries called for stronger international cooperation to tackle terrorism, including action against banned terror groups, their affiliates, proxies and funding channels.

The ministers also expressed concern over the increasing use of emerging technologies by extremist organisations. They pledged closer cooperation with regional and international partners to improve capabilities for preventing, detecting and responding to terrorism and violent extremism.

The inclusion of the Pahalgam attack in the Quad declaration is being viewed as one of the strongest references by the grouping to terrorism affecting India. It also reflects New Delhi’s efforts to bring cross-border terrorism into the focus of major international platforms.

During the joint media interaction, Jaishankar asserted that there should be “zero tolerance” towards terrorism and said countries facing terrorist attacks have the right to defend themselves.

Beyond counter-terrorism, the Quad leaders reaffirmed their commitment to a free, open and inclusive Indo-Pacific. They opposed unilateral attempts to alter the status quo through force or coercion.

The ministers also voiced concern over rising tensions in the South China Sea and East China Sea, including dangerous maritime actions such as blocking, ramming and the unsafe use of water cannons.

On maritime security, the Quad highlighted the importance of ensuring uninterrupted global trade through key sea routes such as the Strait of Hormuz and the Red Sea. The grouping opposed any measures that violate international maritime law or disrupt commercial shipping.

The declaration further raised concerns over cybercrime, transnational organised crime and online scam networks operating in Southeast Asia. At the same time, the Quad reaffirmed its support for ASEAN centrality and regional stability.

The reference to the Pahalgam terror attack recalls the incident of April 22, 2025, when terrorists targeted civilians in the tourist town of Pahalgam in Jammu and Kashmir, killing 26 people.

Following the attack, India launched Operation Sindoor on May 7, 2025, targeting terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir. According to official figures, Indian forces destroyed multiple terror launchpads linked to Lashkar-e-Taiba, Jaish-e-Mohammed and Hizbul Mujahideen.

The military operation was followed by several days of cross-border hostilities, including drone attacks and shelling from Pakistan. India carried out retaliatory strikes targeting radar installations in Lahore and areas near Gujranwala before a ceasefire was agreed upon on May 10 after talks between the Directors General of Military Operations of both countries.

Security forces later carried out Operation Mahadev, during which three terrorists allegedly involved in the Pahalgam attack were neutralised.

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India also took diplomatic and economic measures after the attack, including suspending the Indus Waters Treaty and halting bilateral trade with Pakistan.