Calling the Quad "an important alliance" in the Indo-Pacific, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Wednesday said efforts are on to have another meeting of the grouping this year on the sidelines of a global gathering in the region. Rubio made these remarks while responding to a question from Indian-American Congressman Ami Bera during a meeting of the US House Foreign Affairs Committee.

"We expect the leaders (meeting)...hoping to be able to do one this year, maybe on the sidelines of another global gathering in the region, but nonetheless a meeting, " Rubio said. "Not a standalone, but as part of, you know, when they're all going to be at the same time, and it'd be easier. We're working on getting that scheduled," the US Secretary of State said.