Quad slams coercive attempts to alter status quo in Indo-Pacific

But joint statement avoids pointing finger at Russia for Ukraine crisis

From left, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, U.S. President Joe Biden, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida arrive at the Quad leaders summit on May 24. © AP

KENTARO IWAMOTO, SAYUMI TAKE and KIRAN SHARMA, Nikkei staff writers

May 24, 2022 10:51 JST

Updated on May 24, 2022 22:12 JST

TOKYO/NEW DELHI -- In unprecedentedly strong language, the leaders of the Quad expressed opposition to coercive, provocative or unilateral actions that seek to change the status quo in the Indo-Pacific.

The joint statement, issued after the leaders of Japan, Australia, India and the U.S. met for a summit in Tokyo on Tuesday, did not mention China by name, but the finger-pointing was clear.