<span style="color: #222222;">Senior officials of India, US, Japan and Australia met in Bangkok today to hold consultations on their collective efforts for a free, open and inclusive Indo-Pacific region and reaffirmed their shared commitment to preserving and promoting the rules-based order in the region. <br />'' <br />'' According to an official statement from US, the four countries underscored their intent to continue close coordination and collaboration in support of sustainable, private sector-led development, maritime security and good governance. The consultations were part of the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (Quad) an informal strategic grouping consisting of India, US, Australia and Japan.<br />'' <br />'' China has been trying to expand its military presence in the Indo-Pacific which is a biogeographic region. China claims almost all of the South China Sea whereas Vietnam, Philippines, Malaysia, Brunei and Taiwan have also counter claims over it.  </span><br />