SYDNEY – U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken plans to visit Australia in February for talks on Indo-Pacific coordination. This was announced by the Australian government Monday.

This two-day Quadrilateral Security Dialogue, (Quad), foreign ministers meeting comes amid Biden’s concern about China. However tensions over Ukraine are rising in Europe.

China had previously criticised the Quad for being a Cold War concept and a clique that “targets other countries”.

Marise Perry, Australian Foreign Minister was not able to give an exact date. However she stated in a statement that she looks forward to hosting the Quad foreign ministry to Australia within the next few weeks.

Payne stated that “We are an essential network of liberal democracies working together to make our region strategic decisions, with a strong focus on practical steps for building the resilience and sovereignity of all countries.”

Prime Minister Scott Morrison’s government is strengthening Australia’s relations in the region amid increasing uncertainty, strategic competition and threats to the liberal international order.

Japanese media reported previously that the Quad meeting could take place virtually due to restrictions on international travel. Subrahmanyam jaishankar, Indian Foreign Minister said that he tested positive to COVID-19 in a Twitter tweet on January 27, 2017.

Officials at Canberra believe Jaishankar can recover from the February meeting and report a positive test.

Yoshimasa, Japan’s Foreign Minister, is expected to also attend.

Previous discussions by the Quad grouping have focused on increasing the availability of COVID-19 vaccins for the region as well as supply chains and cooperation in technology. They have also conducted joint naval exercises.