Quad Foreign Ministers Condemn Pahalgam Terror Attack; Reaffirm Commitment to Counter-Terrorism Cooperation

 Washington, D.C., July 1, 2025 — The foreign ministers of the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (Quad) nations—India, the United States, Japan, and Australia—have issued a strong and unified condemnation of the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, that claimed the lives of 26 civilians, including one Nepali national, and left several others injured.

In a joint statement released following the Quad Foreign Ministers' Meeting held at the U.S. Department of State, the ministers expressed their deepest condolences to the victims' families and called for swift and decisive international action to hold the perpetrators accountable.

“The Quad unequivocally condemns all acts of terrorism and violent extremism in all forms and manifestations, including cross-border terrorism,” the statement read. “We denounce in the strongest terms the terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, and call for the perpetrators, organisers, and financiers of this reprehensible act to be brought to justice without delay.”

The ministers urged all United Nations member states to fulfil their obligations under international law and relevant UN Security Council Resolutions (UNSCRs) by cooperating fully with efforts to investigate and prosecute those responsible.

Participating in the high-level discussions were India’s External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Japan’s Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya, and Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong. The meeting forms a critical component of the run-up to the upcoming Quad Leaders’ Summit, set to be hosted in New Delhi later this year.

Dr. Jaishankar underscored the necessity of a resolute global stance against terrorism, stating, “The world must display zero tolerance for terrorism. Victims and perpetrators must never be equated. India will exercise its sovereign right to defend its people against acts of terror.”

Although the Indian minister did not directly reference the retaliatory strikes under Operation Sindoor, his remarks reinforced New Delhi’s firm position on cross-border terrorism. Operation Sindoor, launched on May 7 in response to the Pahalgam massacre, targeted nine terrorist training camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. The pre-dawn airstrikes reportedly resulted in the elimination of at least 100 militants and triggered four days of intense military exchanges along the Line of Control.

The April 22 attack, among the deadliest in the region in recent years, was initially claimed by The Resistance Front (TRF), an affiliate of Lashkar-e-Taiba. The group later retracted responsibility following a wave of international condemnation.

During his official visit to the United States from June 30 to July 2, Minister Jaishankar also met with Secretary Rubio for bilateral discussions focusing on the evolving regional security architecture and shared strategic interests. In a separate meeting with U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, the leaders reviewed progress on key defence cooperation initiatives between the two countries.

Throughout the ministerial discussions, a central theme was the Quad’s collective vision for a free, open, and inclusive Indo-Pacific region. “It is vital that countries in the Indo-Pacific have the freedom to make their own decisions regarding development and security,” said Dr. Jaishankar. “Our joint efforts remain rooted in promoting a rules-based international order that upholds the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all nations.”

As the Quad continues to gain strategic prominence amid growing geopolitical challenges in the region, the foreign ministers reaffirmed their commitment to deepening cooperation on counter-terrorism, maritime security, infrastructure development, and regional connectivity.