Australia and India's foreign ministers expressed confidence on Tuesday that the Quad group, comprising the United States, India, Australia, and Japan, will continue to collaborate effectively in the Indo-Pacific region, irrespective of the results of the upcoming US presidential election.
Speaking to reporters in Canberra, Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong highlighted her discussions with former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, Reuters reports.
Wong emphasized that their conversation focused on key priorities, including the AUKUS defense technology partnership, which aims to provide Australia with nuclear-powered submarines.
Wong reiterated that Australia is prepared to work with whichever leader the American electorate selects.
The Quad grouping has faced criticism from China, which views it as a strategy to contain its influence. In contrast, the member countries, including Australia, Japan, India, and the US, argue that they represent like-minded democracies committed to enhancing stability in the Indo-Pacific region.
The Quad leaders, during a meeting in September, agreed to implement joint coast guard patrols and strengthen military logistics cooperation. Wong described the Quad as "very valuable" for the region and maintained that its significance would persist regardless of the election outcome.
Indian Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, who is on an official visit to Australia, noted that the Quad was revitalized under the Trump administration in 2017.
Reflecting on the US election, Jaishankar said: "When we look at the American election, we are very confident that whatever the verdict, our relationship with the United States will only grow."
