Quad strengthens 'bond' ahead of US administration change

Japanese Foreign Minister Iwaya Takeshi (right) and his Australian counterpart Penny Wong meet in Washington on January 19. (Source: Kyodo)

Reuters news agency reported that during the meetings, Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong said that the invitation for Quad foreign ministers to attend the inauguration of President-elect Donald Trump showed a "firm commitment" to close cooperation in the Indo- Pacific region.

Ms Wong said she would meet incoming US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and other members of Mr Trump's administration, and insisted the alliance with Washington was vital to Australia's defence and economic prosperity.

She is expected to discuss defence technology partnerships under the US-UK-Australia Trilateral Security Treaty (AUKUS) with Washington and London.

According to Australia's top diplomat , the country is "on a path to increased defence spending" and Canberra is focused heavily on how to continue to implement AUKUS, because this capability is important for deterrence - the way to ensure peace.

According to Kyodo , at the meeting between Japanese Foreign Minister Iwaya Takeshi and his Australian counterpart, the two sides agreed that their cooperation with the US and India within the framework of the Quad group will continue to ensure stability in the Indo-Pacific region.

Mr. Iwaya said that Japan and Australia need to play a leadership role “more than ever” in realizing a free and open Indo-Pacific region, working closely with the United States and other partners.

Meanwhile, at a private meeting with his Indian counterpart Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, the Japanese Foreign Minister said that the two countries share fundamental values ​​and have “great responsibility for the peace and prosperity of the international community”.

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