Quad calls for Pahalgam attackers to be punished

Jaishankar says India will defend itself against terror, flags lack of support from some countries in case of an attack

- Shashank Mattoo

The four-nation Quad grouping came together to condemn the April 22 Pahalgam terrorist attack and called for bringing the perpetrators, organisers and financiers of the strike to justice without any delay, even as it expressed concern about China's aggressive military activities. The joint statement of the Quad foreign ministers meeting, however, did not mention Pakistan or the four-day military conflict in May. The grouping includes India, America, Japan and Australia.

"The Quad unequivocally condemns all acts of terrorism and violent extremism in all its forms and manifestations, including cross-border terrorism, and renews our commitment to counterterrorism cooperation," the joint statement said, before going on to condemn the Pahalgam terror attack, which claimed the lives of 26 people in April this year. "We call for the perpetrators, organizers, and financiers of this reprehensible act to be brought to justice without any delay and urge all UN member states, in accordance with their obligations under international law and relevant UNSCRs, to cooperate actively with all relevant authorities in this regard," the statement added.