New Delhi: Foreign ministers from India, the United States, Japan and Australia met in New Delhi on Tuesday for the latest Quad discussions, with the grouping seeking to regain momentum amid shifting geopolitical dynamics and recent tensions between Washington and New Delhi.
The Quad alliance, formed to counter China’s growing influence in the Indo-Pacific region, is expected to focus on maritime security, resilient supply chains, critical technologies and regional cooperation. The meeting comes at a time when concerns are rising over China’s increasing military and strategic presence across the Asia-Pacific.
The discussions also follow a difficult phase in India-US relations after former US President Donald Trump imposed steep tariffs on Indian goods last year over New Delhi’s purchases of Russian oil. Although the tariffs were later reduced following negotiations, the episode created friction between the two partners.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has been visiting India to strengthen ties ahead of the meeting. Relations between the two countries were further strained after Trump claimed he had brokered a ceasefire between India and Pakistan, a statement publicly rejected by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
The Quad leaders have not held a summit since 2024, prompting concerns that the grouping may be losing strategic momentum. Analysts believe the current meeting is aimed at reaffirming the bloc’s relevance as regional tensions continue to rise, particularly over Taiwan and disputed maritime territories in the South China Sea.
India continues to balance its growing partnerships with Western democracies while maintaining ties with countries such as Russia and China through platforms like BRICS. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said cooperation among Quad members would continue to expand as the Indo-Pacific becomes increasingly important to global stability.
Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong described the Quad partnership as vital for maritime security, infrastructure development and disaster response cooperation across the region.
