Quad Ministers Meet in Manila, Reaffirm Free and Open Indo-Pacific Vision

External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar attended the Quad Foreign Ministers' meeting in Manila on Wednesday, alongside his counterparts from Australia, Japan, and the United States. The meeting took place on the margins of ASEAN-related gatherings, underscoring the grouping's continued engagement in the region.

The Quad ministers—Jaishankar, Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong, Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi, and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio—released a joint statement reaffirming their commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific. They expressed unwavering support for ASEAN unity and centrality, and outlined shared priorities in maritime security, economic security, critical and emerging technologies, and humanitarian assistance. The statement noted that peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific maritime domain underpin the region's security and prosperity.

Discussions covered the situation in the East China Sea and South China Sea. Japan objected to any unilateral attempts to change the status quo by force or coercion, and expressed grave concerns over export restrictions, including on critical minerals. The meeting occurred amid heightened tensions between China and the Philippines in the South China Sea.

Secretary Rubio posted on X that the United States, India, Australia, and Japan share a vision of a free and open Indo-Pacific grounded in the rule of law, sovereignty, and territorial integrity. He added that strong cooperation is vital to supporting ASEAN's priorities and centrality. US Ambassador Sergio Gor, who joined the meeting, described the discussions as productive and focused on delivering results for a free and open Indo-Pacific.

The Quad foreign ministers also looked forward to convening the next Quad Leaders' Summit, though no specific dates were announced. India has sought to host the summit, but with US President Donald Trump unlikely to visit India this year, the summit may take place on the margins of the G20 summit in the United States in December. The ministers are expected to meet again on the sidelines of a G20 ministerial in Atlanta in October.

Earlier in the day, Jaishankar met Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Manila, reflecting India's policy of multi-alignment and strategic autonomy. The Quad meeting highlighted the group's continued functional cooperation even in the absence of a leaders' summit.