China, which sees the QUAD, a partnership between India, Japan, Australia and USA as a threat to its hegemony in Asia has come out strongly against the scheduled in Tokyo on 6-7 October in Tokyo.
India will be represented by External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar who will be meeting foreign ministers of Japan, Australia and USA in Tokyo, Times of India has reported.
In the sidelines of the summit, Jaishankar will also hold bilateral consultations with Japanese Minister of Foreign Affairs, Toshimitsu Motegi and as per a statement released by the MEA, the two leaders will discuss bilateral and regional issues of mutual interest.
As per the official MEA press release, “The Foreign Ministers shall discuss the post-Covid 19 international order and the need for a coordinated response to the various challenges emerging from the pandemic. They will also discuss regional issues and collectively affirm the importance of maintaining a free, open and inclusive Indo-Pacific.”
However, China which has always seen QUAD as a threat is not pleased as the tension at the Line of Actual Control is still flashpoint for conflict.
Wang Wenbin, the spokesperson of the Chinese foreign ministry said that countries should not seek an exclusive “clique” and the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue should be a “Multilateral and plurilateral cooperation should all be open, inclusive and transparent. No one should seek an exclusive clique.”
He added, “Efforts should be made to enhance regional countries mutual understanding and trust, instead of targeting a third party or harming third party’s interests.”
“We hope the relevant country will proceed from the interests of regional countries and do more things conducive to regional peace, stability and development instead of the contrary,” the spokesperson signed off.