Even as the schedule for the next Quad leaders' summit remains uncertain, the strategic grouping has reinforced its commitment to fighting terrorism. The Quad recently convened a meeting of its Counter-Terrorism Working Group, delivering a strong, unified condemnation of terrorism in every form.
Unequivocal Condemnation and Call for Justice
The member countries—India, the United States, Japan, and Australia—issued a joint statement denouncing all acts of terror. They specifically expressed their condolences for the "heinous terror incident" near Delhi's Red Fort last month. The Quad partners demanded that the perpetrators, organizers, and financiers behind this attack be held accountable. They urged all United Nations member states to cooperate in achieving this justice.
Engagement Continues Despite Summit Delay
The high-level Quad summit, which India is slated to host, could not be finalized for this year. This delay is partly linked to ongoing negotiations for a crucial bilateral trade agreement between India and the US. There is no official confirmation yet on a potential date for the summit in 2026.
However, engagement among the four nations has continued robustly at the official level. In September, India hosted counter-terrorism workshops focusing on critical emerging threats. These included a technical exchange on the misuse of drones and Unmanned Aerial Systems by terrorists and a seminar on preventing terrorist exploitation of new technologies for financing and other activities.
Assessing Threats and Building Operational Readiness
During last week's meeting, Quad countries shared their assessments of the current terrorism threat landscape, with a particular focus on developments in the Indo-Pacific region. They discussed a wide range of cooperative measures to tackle both existing and new challenges. The joint statement underscored the importance of keeping the Indo-Pacific region open and free from the menace of terrorism.
To enhance practical cooperation, the group also conducted a Tabletop Exercise (TTx) themed "Counter Terrorism Operations in the Urban Environment." This exercise provided counter-terrorism experts a platform to share best practices and identify opportunities for improving joint operational preparedness against complex terrorist scenarios.
Strengthening Multilateral and Information Sharing Efforts
The Quad partners reaffirmed their dedication to bolstering collaboration in multilateral forums like the United Nations. They also emphasized the continued value of sharing information on terrorists, their organizations, and proxy networks. In a related bilateral move, India and the US jointly called for slapping UN sanctions under the 1267 regime on Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM), and their affiliates. This would trigger a global asset freeze against these entities. The two nations renewed their commitment to strengthening multilateral counter-terrorism cooperation through platforms such as the UN, Quad, and the Financial Action Task Force (FATF).
