Quad Meeting in New Delhi Addresses Security and Energy Initiatives
On Tuesday, foreign ministers from the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue, often referred to as the “Quad,” met with Secretary of State Marco Rubio in New Delhi, India. Their focus was on unveiling new initiatives for security and energy in the Indo-Pacific to address China’s expanding influence.
Joining Rubio were Indian Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi, and Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong.
Rubio emphasized that the U.S. is “deeply committed to this partnership,” denoting the Quad as “the linchpin of our nation’s global strategy.” He suggested that the time has come for the Quad to take actionable steps beyond discussing crucial topics like maritime security and resource supplies.
Reflecting on the Quad’s history, it’s notable that the group initially convened for disaster relief efforts in 2004 after a significant earthquake and tsunami. However, it quickly fell dormant, primarily due to Australia’s withdrawal, driven by fears of upsetting China. The Chinese government has consistently opposed the Quad, viewing it as a threat to its interests.
Re-energized in 2017 in response to Chinese maneuvers in contested areas of the South China Sea, the Quad has since held annual meetings, even launching its first formal summit in 2021. However, plans for a 2025 summit have been delayed amid trade tensions between India and the U.S.
Jaishankar described the recent meeting as a “valuable exercise,” agreeing with Rubio that as international trade expands in the Indo-Pacific, the Quad’s responsibilities will grow accordingly.
Wong highlighted that Iran’s blockade of the Strait of Hormuz has inflicted “severe economic stress” on the region, stressing the need to uphold navigation freedom and oppose any extortion attempts by Iran for passage through this vital waterway.
She added that all four nations align closely in their vision for a free and open Indo-Pacific region.
During their time in New Delhi, Rubio and Jaishankar also conducted bilateral discussions. Motegi communicated Japan’s role, indicating that with both his country and India situated near contentious areas, Japan should champion the cause of maintaining a free and open Indo-Pacific.
Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi recently announced updates to Japan’s Free and Open Indo-Pacific initiative, suggesting a shift towards practical cooperation with allies rather than solely relying on rhetoric around “rule of law.” This includes increasing involvement from members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), which is broader and less focused than the Quad.
Motegi has actively sought to include countries from the Global South, particularly in Africa and Asia, in Japan’s strategy. India has consistently sought recognition as a representative voice for this group of developing nations, which generally do not belong to affluent economies like the G7.
Motegi’s input on the Free and Open Indo-Pacific concept was shared early in the summit, receiving general agreement from the other members.
Additionally, he urged the Quad to unite against North Korea’s ongoing missile developments and cyber threats.
In a joint statement, the Quad expressed concerns over actions in the East and South China Seas, signaling their discontent regarding “dangerous and coercive” activities, referencing incidents involving Chinese vessels and aggressive tactics against Philippine ships.
The Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs responded, with spokesperson Mao Ning stating that China opposes any efforts that might create divisions or conflicts in the regional landscape. She asserted that mutual trust among regional nations should not be compromised.
