Quad on Thursday reiterated importance of a ‘free and open Indo-Pacific’ and stressed the importance of a return to democracy in Myanmar. The foreign ministers of India, US, Japan and Australia met for the third time in the Quad format on Thursday evening with MEA saying, “Their productive exchange of views on regional issues included a reiteration of their common vision for a free, open and inclusive Indo-Pacific region, with clear support for ASEAN cohesion and centrality. It was noted that the Indo-Pacific concept had gathered growing international support, including in Europe.” The meeting underlined India's commitment to the Quad even though a disengagement process with China is under way in eastern Ladakh. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken tweeted : "I look forward to deepening our cooperation on climate change and Covid-19, supporting ASEAN centrality, and advancing our vision of a free and open Indo-Pacific." A statement by the US State Department said the four ministers — S Jaishankar, Anthony Blinken, Toshimitsu Motegi and Marise Payne — would meet annually while senior officials would meet more than once every year. The US statement said, “The ministers also discussed countering disinformation, counterterrorism, maritime security, the urgent need to restore the democratically elected government in Burma (Myanmar), and the priority of strengthening democratic resilience in the broader region.”