Amid China’s growing military activity in the Indo-Pacific, the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (QUAD) member countries announced new measures on Tuesday to strengthen maritime surveillance and port infrastructure, as well as expand cooperation in critical minerals and energy. These new measures were announced following a meeting of the group’s foreign ministers in New Delhi. External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar chaired the meeting and was attended by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong, and Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio described the Quad meeting as successful and useful. He said the meeting had a comprehensive discussion on advancing peace, stability, security, and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region. According to Rubio, the Quad remains an important group playing a positive role in the region and will continue to develop new initiatives to address the region’s biggest challenges.
At a press conference following the Quad meeting, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated that the Quad is no longer simply a forum for discussing issues, but rather that this partnership is now moving towards concrete action. He thanked India and External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar for hosting the meeting. He also stated that India, the US, Japan, and Australia are now working together on several important global issues, leveraging their respective capabilities.
Indian Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar stated via social media that the meeting yielded three major outcomes. First, an agreement was reached to enhance maritime surveillance in the Indo-Pacific region and share information on maritime activities. Furthermore, plans were made to establish an expert panel on port infrastructure, a pilot port project in Fiji, and cooperation on undersea cables.
The US Secretary of State stated that Quad countries’ cooperation continues to strengthen in areas such as energy security, supply chains, critical minerals, maritime security, and humanitarian assistance. This has become even more important given recent global developments. As the world faces new geopolitical challenges, economic pressures, and security crises, the Quad’s role has become more important than ever. “This partnership is no longer limited to strategic dialogue, but aims to deliver concrete results on the ground.”
Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong said the Quad countries want the group to be “strong and effective” so they can continue to work together and maintain momentum. She also emphasized that the Indo-Pacific region should be “free, open, peaceful, stable, and prosperous.”
Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi said the Quad Foreign Ministers’ meeting sends a “clear and strong message” to the world that the group will work together to promote practical cooperation for a free and open Indo-Pacific. In his opening remarks at the Quad Foreign Ministers’ meeting in New Delhi on Tuesday, Motegi expressed his special fondness for the meeting.
Second, the Quad Critical Minerals Framework was finalized. A Critical Minerals Framework was also signed between India and the United States. The Quad will also work with other like-minded countries in the region. Third, a new Quad initiative for Indo-Pacific energy security was announced. It will enhance cooperation in areas such as technology, management, policy, international market analysis, and emergency response exercises.
Motegi said, “I want to thank Jaishankar for organizing this meeting. I attended the first Quad Foreign Ministers’ meeting in September 2019. Therefore, I have a special fondness for this meeting. This is the 11th Quad Foreign Ministers’ meeting and it sends a strong message to the world that the Quad will further strengthen practical cooperation for a free and open Indo-Pacific.” Major changes are underway in the international order.
Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong said the Quad countries want the group to be “strong and effective” so they can continue to work together and maintain momentum. She also emphasized that the Indo-Pacific region should be “free, open, peaceful, stable, and prosperous.”
Delivering opening remarks at the Quad Foreign Ministers’ meeting in New Delhi on Tuesday, Penny Wong said, “We are four sovereign nations. We have our own histories and interests, but we share a significant commonality. We all share a common vision for the Indo-Pacific: a region that is free and open, peaceful, stable, and prosperous. We all bring our unique insights, experiences, and strengths to work together to build such a region.”