New Delhi: Dr. S. Jaishankar, Minister of External Affairs of India, participated in the Second India-Australia-Japan-USA Ministerial Meeting on 6 October 2020 in Tokyo. The Foreign Ministers followed up on their discussions in September 2019 and discussed the post Covid-19 international order. They called for a coordinated response to the challenges including financial problems emanating from the pandemic; need to share best practices to combat Covid-19; increasing the resilience of supply chains; and enhancing access to affordable vaccines, medicines and medical equipment.
The Foreign Ministers exchanged views about regional issues of mutual interest, and issues related to connectivity; humanitarian assistance and disaster relief; maritime safety and security; health security, and counter terrorism. They reaffirmed their collective vision of maintaining a free, open and inclusive Indo-Pacific. They reiterated their firm support to ASEAN centrality and highlighted their readiness to work towards realizing a common vision for the Indo-Pacific. Appreciating the value of these consultations, they agreed to hold them regularly.
External Affairs Minister also had a bilateral meeting with H.E. Mr. Michael Pompeo, Secretary of State of USA.; and will be meeting H.E. Ms. Marise Payne, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Australia; and the Foreign Minister of Japan H.E. Mr. Toshimitsu Motegi. These meetings provided the respective Ministers an opportunity to review ongoing bilateral cooperation and discuss regional, global and other issues of mutual interest.
