In the backdrop of escalating geopolitical tensions and economic unpredictability, particularly stemming from the West Asia conflict, foreign ministers from the Quad nations convened in New Delhi to discuss enhancing cooperation in the Indo-Pacific region. This pivotal gathering marked the first meeting of Quad foreign ministers in nearly 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, with a focus on reviving momentum within the Quad framework.
The agenda for this meeting was comprehensive, aiming to bolster maritime security, economic resilience, and infrastructure development, alongside discussions on critical minerals and disaster response. Prior to the main session, bilateral discussions took place between Jaishankar and Motegi, centering on economic security and the ramifications of the West Asia crisis on energy supplies and trade routes. Both leaders underscored the critical need for stability in the Indo-Pacific and the assurance of secure maritime pathways.
Japanese foreign minister Motegi highlighted the significant structural changes occurring globally due to shifts in power dynamics and increasing conflicts. He emphasized the joint responsibility of India and Japan in shaping a future international order that addresses these evolving challenges. In parallel, Australia reaffirmed the importance of the Quad as an essential partnership for ensuring peace, stability, and prosperity within the Indo-Pacific, especially given the current volatile global climate.
A major topic anticipated during these discussions was the long-awaited Quad Leaders’ Summit. Initially planned to be hosted by India in the previous year, the summit was postponed following the lack of confirmation from then US President Donald Trump. The last such summit occurred in the United States in 2024, with the preceding foreign ministers’ meeting held in Washington in July 2025.
Reflecting on the Quad’s objectives, Jaishankar recently described the four nations involved—India, Australia, Japan, and the United States—as “maritime democracies” dedicated to upholding international law, securing trade routes, and reinforcing a rules-based order in the Indo-Pacific. This commitment remains central to the Quad’s strategic cooperation amid the increasingly complex international landscape.
