In a significant diplomatic gathering, foreign ministers from the Quad nations—comprising India, Australia, Japan, and the United States—convened in New Delhi to bolster collaboration in the Indo-Pacific region. This meeting comes at a time of heightened geopolitical tensions and economic uncertainties, particularly in light of the ongoing conflict in West Asia. The Quad, an informal strategic alliance, aims to enhance cooperation across various domains, including maritime security, economic resilience, infrastructure, and disaster response.
The meeting marked the first assembly of Quad foreign ministers in almost a year. India’s external affairs minister, S. Jaishankar, hosted Australian foreign minister Penny Wong, Japanese foreign minister Toshimitsu Motegi, and US secretary of state Marco Rubio. One of the key objectives was to rejuvenate the momentum of the Quad partnership, focusing on shared priorities and addressing global challenges. A central theme of their discussions was the need for stable and secure maritime routes, crucial for maintaining the region’s economic lifeline.
Prior to the main session, bilateral talks between Jaishankar and Motegi centered on economic security and the effects of the West Asia crisis on energy and trade. Both ministers underscored the critical role India and Japan play in ensuring stability in the Indo-Pacific. Motegi highlighted the profound structural changes the world is experiencing due to shifting power dynamics and rising conflicts, stressing the shared responsibility of India and Japan in shaping future international norms.
Australia echoed these sentiments, describing the Quad as essential for preserving peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific. The Australian delegation emphasized that in a world marked by growing instability, the Quad’s cooperation is increasingly vital. A major topic of discussion was the long-delayed Quad Leaders’ Summit, initially planned to be held in India last year but postponed due to US President Donald Trump’s non-confirmation of attendance.
The last Quad Leaders’ Summit took place in the United States in 2024, with the previous foreign ministers’ meeting held in Washington in July 2025. Jaishankar recently reaffirmed the commitment of the Quad nations—referred to as “maritime democracies”—to uphold international law, secure trade routes, and maintain a rules-based order in the Indo-Pacific. This meeting serves as a pivotal step towards reinforcing these commitments and addressing emerging challenges in the region.
