The Quad nations’ foreign ministers convened in New Delhi for a pivotal meeting aimed at bolstering cooperation in the Indo-Pacific region amid increasing geopolitical tensions and economic challenges stemming from the West Asia conflict. The gathering marked the first Quad foreign ministers’ meeting in nearly a year, with India’s external affairs minister S. Jaishankar hosting Australia’s Penny Wong, Japan’s Toshimitsu Motegi, and the United States’ Marco Rubio.
The discussions centered on rejuvenating the Quad partnership and enhancing collaboration in key areas such as maritime security, economic resilience, critical minerals, infrastructure development, and disaster response. Prior to the main meeting, bilateral talks between Jaishankar and Motegi highlighted economic security issues and the impact of the West Asia crisis on energy supplies and trade. Both countries underscored the significance of maintaining stability in the Indo-Pacific and ensuring secure maritime routes.
Motegi emphasized that the world is experiencing substantial structural changes due to evolving global power dynamics and escalating conflicts. He noted that India and Japan share a responsibility to help shape the future international order. Australia’s representatives also underscored the importance of the Quad, describing it as an essential partnership for ensuring peace, stability, and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region. Canberra stressed that cooperation within the Quad has become even more critical in an increasingly unstable global environment.
A major topic expected during the discussions was the long-awaited Quad Leaders’ Summit. India had originally planned to host the summit the previous year, but it was postponed when U.S. President Donald Trump did not confirm his attendance. The last Quad Leaders’ Summit took place in the United States in 2024, while the previous foreign ministers’ meeting occurred in Washington in July 2025.
Highlighting the commitment of the four Quad nations, which he referred to as “maritime democracies,” Jaishankar recently reiterated that they are dedicated to upholding international law, maintaining secure trade routes, and promoting a rules-based order in the Indo-Pacific region.