Quad foreign ministers to meet in New Delhi on May 26 to discuss Indo-Pacific strategy

Foreign ministers from the four Quad nations mdash India the United States Australia and Japan mdash will meet in New Delhi on May 26 to discuss regional security economic cooperation and strategic coordination in the IndoPacific regionThe meeting will be hosted by S Jaishankar and attended by Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi and US Secretary of State Marco RubioAccording to the Ministry of External Affairs the visit reflects continued highlevel engagement among Quad partners and their shared commitment to a free open and inclusive IndoPacific regionMinisters to review progress on Quad initiativesIn an official statement the Ministry said the ministers would build upon discussions held during the earlier Quad meeting in Washington in July 2025The talks are expected to focus on reviewing progress made under various Quad initiatives and exploring ways to deepen cooperation in priority sectorsldquoIn keeping with the Quad vision for a Free and Open IndoPacific the Ministers will exchange views on advancing Quad cooperation across priority areasrdquo the statement saidThe ministers are also expected to discuss recent geopolitical developments in the IndoPacific region and other international issues of mutual concernMaritime security and technology cooperation on agendaThe meeting is likely to focus on a range of strategic and economic issues including maritime security resilient supply chains infrastructure development and critical technologiesOfficials said discussions are also expected on climate action humanitarian assistance and disaster relief cooperation among the four countriesThe Quad grouping has increasingly expanded its engagement beyond security matters to include economic resilience emerging technologies and regional connectivity initiativesThe meeting comes amid evolving geopolitical dynamics in the IndoPacific where Quad countries have been working to strengthen strategic coordination and regional partnershipsBilateral meetings with Jaishankar likelyApart from the Quad meeting the visiting foreign ministers are also expected to hold bilateral discussions with Jaishankar during their stay in New DelhiThe visiting dignitaries are further scheduled to call on Prime Minister Narendra ModiThe bilateral meetings are expected to cover defence cooperation trade regional security and energyrelated issuesMarco Rubio stresses stronger energy ties with IndiaAhead of his India visit Rubio said Washington was looking to strengthen energy cooperation with New Delhi amid concerns over disruptions in global oil and gas supplies linked to tensions in West Asia and the Strait of HormuzSpeaking to reporters before departing from Miami Rubio described India as ldquoa great allyrdquo and ldquoa great partnerrdquo and said the United States was prepared to increase energy exports to IndiaThe remarks come at a time when concerns over shipping disruptions and regional instability in West Asia have raised fresh questions about global energy security and supply chainsThe Quad formally known as the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue includes India United States Australia and Japan and has emerged as a key strategic grouping in the IndoPacific regionWith inputs from IANS