The joint statement was issued after External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar met counterparts Antony Blinken of the US, Penny Wong of Australia and Hayashi Yoshimasa of Japan on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly session in New York Friday.
Targeting state-sponsored cybercrime emanating from China, Russia and Iran, Foreign Ministers of the Quad grouping have come out with a joint “statement on ransomware” — a first of its kind — announcing that they have decided to act against malicious cyber activity against critical infrastructure.
The joint statement was issued after External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar met counterparts Antony Blinken of the US, Penny Wong of Australia and Hayashi Yoshimasa of Japan on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly session in New York Friday.
“The transnational nature of ransomware can adversely affect our national security, finance sector and business enterprise, critical infrastructure, and the protection of personal data. We appreciate the progress made by the 36 countries supporting the US-led Counter Ransomware Initiative and the regular, practical-oriented consultations against cybercrime in the Indo-Pacific region,” the joint statement said.
While India has expressed concerns over Russia’s war in Ukraine, the South Asian country — famously nonaligned during the Cold War — has maintained a neutral stance, refusing to abrogate business ties with Russia and join Western sanctions.
“As the Ukraine conflict continues to rage, we are often asked whose side we are on. And our answer, each time, is straight and honest,” Jaishankar said. “India is on the side of peace and will remain firmly there.”
He called for constructive dialogue, diplomacy and action to resolve the conflict for the sake of all.