All countries must seek peaceful resolution of disputes in accordance with international law, they said

Quad leaders on Tuesday reaffirmed their resolve to uphold the international rules-based order where countries are free from "all forms of military, economic and political coercion".

The leaders discussed their respective responses to the conflict in Ukraine and the ongoing tragic humanitarian crisis, and assessed its implications for the Indo-Pacific.

In a Joint Statement issued after the meeting, Quad Leaders reiterated their strong resolve to maintain the peace and stability in the region.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi attended the Quad Summit along with Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, US President Joe Biden, and Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese.

Since their first virtual meeting in March 2021, the in-person Summit in September 2021, and their virtual engagement in March 2022, the leaders have had four interactions.

According to the Joint Statement, they underscored unequivocally that the centerpiece of the international order is international law, including the UN Charter, respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity of all states. They also emphasized that all countries must seek peaceful resolution of disputes in accordance with international law, the statement said.

"We strongly support the principles of freedom, rule of law, democratic values, sovereignty and territorial integrity, peaceful settlement of disputes without resorting to threat or use of force, any unilateral attempt to change the status quo, and freedom of navigation and overflight, all of which are essential to the peace, stability and prosperity of the Indo-Pacific region and to the world. We will continue to act decisively together to advance these principles in the region and beyond," the Joint Statement said.

"The Quad is committed to cooperation with partners in the region who share the vision of a free and open Indo-Pacific. We reaffirm our unwavering support for ASEAN unity and centrality and for the practical implementation of ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific," they said in the Joint Statement.