February 14, 2022

Co-Chairs of Congressional Japan, Australia, and India Caucuses, and HFAC Asia Subcommittee Release Joint Statement Following Quad Foreign Ministers' Meeting

WASHINGTON — Following the Quad Foreign Ministers' Meeting last Friday, Reps. Joaquin Castro (TX-20) and Adrian Smith (NE-03), the Democratic and Republican co-chairs of the U.S.-Japan Congressional Caucus, Reps. Joe Courtney (CT-02) and Mike Gallagher (WI-08), the House Democratic and Republican co-chairs of the Friends of Australia Congressional Caucus, Reps. Brad Sherman (CA-30) and Steve Chabot (OH-01), the Democratic and Republican co-chairs of the House Caucus on India and Indian Americans, and Rep. Ami Bera, chair of the House Foreign Affairs subcommittee on Asia, the Pacific, Central Asia, and Nonproliferation released the following bipartisan joint statement:

“As the Democratic and Republican co-chairs of the Congressional Caucuses for Japan, Australia, and India, we take note of the Quad Foreign Ministers' Meeting that took place in Melbourne, Australia. Hosted by Australian Foreign Minister Marise Payne, the meeting brought together U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, Japanese Minister for Foreign Affairs Hayashi Yoshimasa, and Indian Minister of External Affairs Subrahmanyam Jaishankar.

“Last week’s meeting builds upon the outcomes of the in-person leaders’ summit in September 2021. By advancing cooperation on COVID-19 vaccination delivery, humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, the environment, maritime security, counterterrorism, cybersecurity, combating foreign disinformation campaigns and economic coercion, as well as standards for critical and emerging technologies, the Quad is advancing a positive vision for the future of the Indo-Pacific rooted in shared values and supported by the unique capabilities of the member countries.

“We hope the United States and the Quad will continue to engage other countries and multilateral organizations throughout the Indo-Pacific —including the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) which will continue to play a central role in American engagement with the region.

“As staunch supporters of closer relations between the United States and Japan, Australia, and India, we are pleased to see the further development of this critical partnership through last week’s ministerial meeting. We will continue to work in a bipartisan manner to assist in that development from Congress.”