In this context, the joint statement issued at the meeting stated, “We reaffirm our commitment to the complete denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula in accordance with the relevant United Nations Security Council Resolutions (UNSCRs) and call on North Korea to comply with all its obligations under the UNSCRs and engage in substantive dialogue. We stress the need to prevent the proliferation of nuclear and missile technology related to North Korea, both in the region and beyond. In that context, we call on all UN Member States to comply with the relevant UNSCRs, including the prohibition on transfers of all arms and related materiel to, or procurement from, North Korea.”
“As the mandate of the UN Panel of Experts tasked with monitoring violations of sanctions under North Korea-related UN Security Council resolutions was not renewed, we reiterate our commitment to the continued implementation of the relevant UN Security Council resolutions, which remain in full force. We reaffirm the need for the immediate resolution of the abduction issue,” the Quad ministers asserted.
This is the first time that the Quad has highlighted North Korea’s nuclear proliferation axis beyond the region. In the mid-1990s, A. Q. Khan was part of a network exchanging ballistic missile and uranium enrichment technology with North Korea. Khan reportedly visited North Korea 13 times as part of this mission.
India also managed to make strong references at the Quad meeting on cross-border terrorism and tools such as drones used by Pakistan to facilitate cross-border terrorism.
“We firmly condemn terrorism and violent extremism in all forms and manifestations, including cross-border terrorism. We deplore the use of unmanned aerial vehicles, drones, tunnels and information and communication technologies by terrorists and terrorist organizations,” the joint statement said, in an indirect reference to Pakistan.
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