Quad Foreign Ministers Condemn Pahalgam Terror Attack, Demand Swift Justice

Foreign ministers of the Quad grouping—India, the United States, Japan and Australia issued a joint statement condemning the April 22 terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu & Kashmir, that claimed the lives of 26 civilians, and appealed for prompt legal action against all those involved—perpetrators, planners, and financiers—while urging United Nations member states to cooperate under international law and UN Security Council mandates  .

Speaking at the Quad Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in Washington, D.C., India’s External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar emphasised anti-terror unity, stating that “victims and perpetrators must never be equated” and reiterated that India has every right to defend its people  . He was joined at the meeting by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Japan’s Takeshi Iwaya, and Australia’s Penny Wong, who collectively reaffirmed their resolute stance against all forms of terrorism, including cross-border threats  .

The ministers also conveyed condolences to the victims’ families and expressed wishes for a swift recovery of the injured. They emphasised the urgency of international cooperation to ensure accountability and underscored the Quad’s broader shift toward counter-terrorism amid expanding regional security concerns  .

During the meeting, Jaishankar discussed India’s Operation Sindoor, the military campaign against terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir launched on May 7 in response to the Pahalgam attack  . The operation followed claims by India that the attackers were linked to Pakistan-based militant groups—accusations Islamabad denied  . After an escalation involving retaliatory drone and missile strikes, a ceasefire was reached on May 10  .

The Quad also discussed a wider agenda, including strengthening strategic stability in the Indo-Pacific region, cooperation in critical-minerals supply chains, maritime security, and regional defense partnerships  . Jaishankar later met with Secretary Rubio at the State Department and reaffirmed the importance of deepening India–US cooperation across trade, security, technology, energy, and mobility sectors  .

The Quad’s robust stance on Pahalgam reflects shared concern over militant violence and a drive for collective action against cross-border terrorism. India’s emphasis on its right to defend and its precision military response sends a clear signal of its expectations from strategic partners. Meanwhile, the collective commitment to stronger Indo-Pacific security frameworks and economic resilience highlights the Quad’s ongoing evolution as a collective force for regional stability.