The United States, Australia, India and Japan recommitted to working together on Tuesday, after the first meeting of the “Quad” grouping’s top diplomats since President Donald Trump returned to the White House.
In a joint statement after the talks in Washington, hosted by U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio on his first day in the job, the foreign ministers of the Quad reiterated their shared commitment to fostering a free and open Indo-Pacific where “sovereignty and territorial integrity are upheld and defended.”
Rubio and his Quad counterparts – India’s External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, Japan’s Defense Minister Takeshi Iwaya, and Australia’s Foreign Minister Penny Wong – said officials would meet regularly to prepare for an upcoming leaders’ summit in India, expected this year.
The Quad nations also voiced strong opposition to “any unilateral actions aimed at altering the status quo through force or coercion.”
“We, the Secretary of State of the United States and the Foreign Ministers of Australia, India, and Japan, met today in Washington DC to reaffirm our shared commitment to strengthening a Free and Open Indo-Pacific where the rule of law, democratic values, sovereignty, and territorial integrity are upheld and defended,” the joint statement said.
The leaders emphasized the importance of international law, economic opportunities, peace, stability, and security, particularly in the maritime domain, as essential foundations for the development and prosperity of the Indo-Pacific region.
In addition, the Quad nations committed to enhancing regional maritime, economic, and technological security in response to growing threats, while also promoting resilient and reliable supply chains.
“We look forward to advancing the work of the Quad in the coming months and will continue to meet regularly as we prepare for the next Quad Leaders’ Summit hosted by India,” the statement added.
Earlier, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar shared a post on X highlighting the productive nature of the Quad Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in Washington, expressing gratitude to Secretary Rubio for hosting the event and acknowledging the contributions of Australia’s Penny Wong and Japan’s Takeshi Iwaya.
“Attended a productive Quad Foreign Ministers’ Meeting today in Washington DC. Thank @secrubio for hosting us and FMs @SenatorWong & Takeshi Iwaya for their participation. Significant that the Quad FMM took place within hours of the inauguration of the Trump Administration,” Jaishankar wrote.
Jaishankar emphasized the need for deeper collaboration, stating, “Agreed on the importance of thinking bigger, deepening the agenda and intensifying our collaboration. The meeting today sends a clear message that in an uncertain and volatile world, the Quad will continue to be a force for global good.”
The QUAD is a diplomatic partnership among India, Australia, Japan, and the United States, committed to fostering an open, stable, and prosperous Indo-Pacific that is inclusive and resilient.
(With inputs from agencies)
