The much-awaited first in-person meeting of the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (or Quad, of India, the United States, Australia and Japan) was held in Washington, following the presence of the respective leaders including Joe Biden (USA), Scott Morison (Australia), Narendra Modi (India), Yoshihide Suga (Japan).1. Focus of Quad is not on security apparatus says USThe United States in the meeting emphasised that the focus of the group is not on the "security apparatus" but issues like COVID, climate and emerging technologies and infrastructure2. Indo-Pacific should be free from coercion, sovereign rights must be respected says MorrisonAustralian Prime Minister Scott Morrison on Friday asserted that the Indo-Pacific should be free from coercion in accordance with international law and sovereign rights must be respected.Citing the "extraordinary opportunities in the Indo-Pacific region, Morrison said,"it has wide diversity, great wealth but many challenges that must be overcome. And we see the role of our nations."3. PM Modi proposes common international travelling protocolPrime Minister Narendra Modi proposed a common international travelling protocol involving mutual recognition of the COVID-19 vaccination certificate at Quad leaders meeting. Foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla informed on Friday, and also mentioned that the proposal was "well-received" by all leaders of Quad nations.4. India tells Quad will allow export of 8 million Indo-Pacific vaccine dosesPrime Minister Narendra Modi told fellow leaders of the Quad partnership on Friday that India will allow the export of 8 million COVID-19 vaccines by end of October in line with a deal reached by the grouping of Australia, India, Japan and the United States in March, India's foreign secretary informed on Friday.5. India says Biden agrees on Pakistan concerns in AfghanistanIndia said Friday that US President Joe Biden and other leaders agreed to keep a careful eye on Pakistan, adding that its historic rival has been an "instigator" of trouble in Afghanistan.Modi also showed his concerns about extremist elements in Afghanistan after the Taliban's takeover last month, Indian officials said.
