Quad continues to remain a grouping of four members: MEA on expansion
New Delhi, May 26
The Ministry of External Affairs on Tuesday clarified that the Quad continues to remain a grouping of four member countries, while noting that the platform remains open to collaboration with other partners in specific areas of cooperation.
Responding to a question on whether there has been any discussion on expanding the Quad, MEA Additional Secretary Nagaraj Naidu said the grouping remains limited to its four founding members at present.
"As of now, the Quad continues to remain a grouping of four members, but we are delivering for all of the Indo-Pacific," he said during a special briefing following the Quad Foreign Ministers' Meeting.
Naidu stated that while the Quad is not currently expanding its membership, it remains open to working with other countries in specific areas of cooperation where there is potential for collaboration.
"I don't think the Quad is averse to working with other partners," Naidu said.
Highlighting the nature of the grouping, he described the Quad as a flexible and nimble mechanism without a formal institutional structure.
"All I would like to assure is that the Quad is a very nimble organisation. We don't have a formal secretariat, but that gives us the flexibility to do a lot of things," he added.
His remarks come following the Quad Foreign Ministers' Meeting held earlier today in the national capital, following which the quad partners adopted four documents - a joint statement, a fact sheet, a joint statement on Indo-Pacific Energy Security, and the Quad Critical Minerals Initiative framework.
The meeting was hosted by External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar at Hyderabad House in the national capital and attended by the Foreign Minister of Australia, Penny Wong and the Foreign Minister of Japan, Toshimitsu Motegi, along with the US Secretary of State, Marco Rubio.
— ANI
Reader Comments
Makes sense to keep Quad small and effective. But I hope we're not just being a rubber stamp for US interests. Need to ensure India's strategic autonomy remains intact.
As an outsider looking in, this flexible approach seems clever. No secretariat means no red tape. India is playing a smart diplomatic game here—balancing China while keeping all options open.
Critical minerals initiative is very important for India's tech future. Hope this isn't just talk and we actually get access to rare earth supply chains. Phir bhi, good step overall. 🇮🇳
Jaishankar ji is doing a fine job projecting India's voice globally. Keeping Quad at 4 members but cooperating with others on energy and critical minerals is pragmatic. Let's see how this plays out with China's reaction.
Interesting that MEA specifically said 'not averse to working with other partners.' Sounds like Quad is open to like-minded nations like Korea or Vietnam joining specific initiatives without becoming full members. Smart diplomacy.
I appreciate the clarity from MEA. No ambiguity—Quad stays as is. But I wish they'd talk more about tangible outcomes for ordinary Indians. These diplomatic meetings often feel like photo ops without real impact on our daily lives.
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