India-led Quad shifts focus on trade, energy security with new Indo-Pacific initiatives
New Delhi, May 26
The Quad foreign ministers on Tuesday sharpened their focus on trade, energy security and maritime cooperation, with India, the US, Australia and Japan announcing a series of initiatives aimed at strengthening economic resilience and supply chain stability across the Indo-Pacific region.
The discussions took place during the Quad grouping, hosted by India in its capacity as the current chair of the grouping.
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong and Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi attended the meeting.
The four countries announced five major initiatives spanning maritime surveillance, port infrastructure, critical minerals, regional maritime coordination and energy security, signalling a shift towards more operational cooperation within the Quad framework.
Addressing the meeting, EAM Jaishankar said the Indo-Pacific would become increasingly important for global economic activity, energy trade and maritime commerce in the coming years.
"As democratic nations, we also devoted attention to countering the common threat of terrorism. There must be zero tolerance for terrorism and nations have the right to defend themselves," he said.
The discussions also focused on strengthening resilient supply chains and ensuring stability in maritime routes amid rising geopolitical uncertainties and energy security concerns.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the Quad was evolving into a "partnership of action" focused on delivering practical outcomes across areas of cooperation.
"Our goal collectively has been to turn this from a forum in which we meet and talk about problems to one where we actually do something about it," Rubio said.
Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong highlighted the economic impact of tensions in West Asia, particularly concerns surrounding the Strait of Hormuz.
"We know the consequences for our region of the Iranian closure of the Strait of Hormuz and what that means for our energy security, for our economies and for our people," Wong said.
Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi said the meeting reflected the Quad's commitment to advancing a "free and open Indo-Pacific" amid structural shifts in the global order.
The Quad, comprising India, the US, Australia and Japan, has increasingly expanded cooperation across trade, technology, infrastructure, maritime security and supply chains as the Indo-Pacific gains strategic and economic importance.
— IANS
Reader Comments
Good to see India taking the chair and leading. But I hope these ‘practical outcomes’ don’t just benefit big corporates. The common citizen needs to feel the impact — lower fuel prices, stable jobs, safer seas. Energy security is key, especially with instability in West Asia. 🤞
Interesting shift — from being a talking shop to actually doing things. Critical minerals and port infra make sense. But Quad needs to be careful not to alienate ASEAN countries. India’s role as a bridge between developed and developing nations is crucial here.
Quad is maturing nicely. The mention of terrorism is important — India has been suffering from cross-border terrorism for decades. But supply chain resilience should not become a China-bashing exercise. Focus on building alternatives, not just rhetoric. 🇮🇳🤝
Maritime cooperation is great, but what about climate change? Energy security should include renewables. India is leading on solar and green hydrogen — would love to see Quad fund joint projects in the region. Otherwise, it’s just the same old oil and gas focus. 🌍☀️
Good to see Quad operationalizing. Free and open Indo-Pacific is a shared interest — especially maritime trade routes. But let’s be honest: the real test will be whether these initiatives survive a change in US administration. Consistency matters.
We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.