Quad Leaders Condemn Pahalgam Terror Attack, Seek Justice

Foreign ministers of the Quad grouping - US, India, Japan and Australia - on Wednesday condemned the Pahalgam terrorist attack which took the lives of 26 civilians on April 22.

The foreign ministers of the US, India, Japan and Australia urged that those behind the April 22 Pahalgam terrorist attack be brought to justice, the joint statement said.

The Quad Leaders' Statement

"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 counter-terrorism cooperation. We condemn in the strongest terms the terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir on April 22, 2025, which claimed the lives of 25 Indian nationals and one Nepali citizen, while injuring several others."

The leaders expressed deepest condolences to the families of the victims while extending wishes for a swift and full recovery of the injured people in the incident.

"We call for the perpetrators, organisers, 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 said.

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Japan's Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya, and Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong took part in the Quad Foreign Ministers' Meeting held at the US Department of State on Tuesday.

The leaders discussed a broad range of regional and global issues, with a strong focus on counterterrorism cooperation.

EAM Denounces Terrorism

Speaking at the meeting, the External Affairs Minister denounced terrorism and referenced India's recent counterterrorism operations, including Operation Sindoor, which was launched after the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam.

"A word about terrorism in the light of our recent experience. The world must display zero tolerance. Victims and perpetrators must never be equated, and India has every right to defend its people against terrorism, and we will exercise that right. We expect our Quad partners to understand and appreciate that," Jaishankar added.