• Quad ministers condemn the April Islamist militant attack that killed 26 in Kashmir.
• The ministers called for immediate justice for the attack's perpetrators.
• The joint statement refrained from directly naming Pakistan despite India's allegations.
• Heavy fighting occurred between India and Pakistan following the incident.
• Ceasefire was achieved after a series of retaliatory strikes between the two nations.

The Quad grouping of the United States, India, Japan, and Australia has called for justice regarding the April 22 militant attack in India-administered Kashmir, which resulted in the deaths of 26 individuals. This joint statement was released on July 1 and emphasized the need for cooperation among United Nations member states to deliver justice to the "perpetrators, organizers, and financiers of this reprehensible act," without naming Pakistan directly, despite India's claims attributing blame to Islamabad. The ministers stated, "The Quad unequivocally condemns all acts of terrorism and violent extremism in all its forms," according to Reuters, Channel News Asia, and Dawn.

This incident has heightened tensions in the historically fraught relationship between India and Pakistan, with Pakistan denying all responsibility for the attack and advocating for a neutral investigation. Following the attack, the situation escalated dramatically, resulting in significant military exchanges, including airstrikes and return fire, as India reportedly targeted locations described as "terrorist infrastructure," leading to a ceasefire declared on May 10. The U.S. was involved in mediating the ceasefire, although India has contested claims that it was a result of external pressure, according to Reuters, Channel News Asia, and Dawn.

India's Foreign Minister, Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, reiterated the importance of resolving disputes directly between New Delhi and Islamabad without any outside involvement. He remarked, "Relationships will never be free of issues... What matters is the ability to deal with it and to keep that trend going in the positive direction," further indicating India's stance amid evolving geopolitical dynamics, as noted by Reuters, Channel News Asia, and Dawn.

Moreover, the recent discord at the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) meeting, where India's refusal to sign a joint communiqué over the lack of reference to the Pahalgam attack, highlights the ongoing tensions and challenges in regional cooperation. This situation reflects greater geopolitical competition and the nuances of India’s foreign policy as it seeks to position itself amid rising challenges, according to Reuters, Channel News Asia, and Dawn.