Quad Ministers Reaffirm ASEAN Centrality, Free and Open Indo-Pacific at Manila Meet
India joined its Quad partners—the United States, Australia, and Japan—in calling for peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region while reaffirming the centrality of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). The Quad foreign ministers met in Manila on Wednesday, July 22, 2026, to discuss regional challenges and opportunities.
The meeting was attended by External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong, and Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi. This was their second meeting in two months, following an earlier gathering in New Delhi in late May.
A joint statement issued after the meeting reiterated the Quad's commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific, with unwavering support for ASEAN unity and centrality. The ministers emphasised that peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific maritime domain are essential for the region's security and prosperity.
The discussions focused on four priority areas: maritime and transnational security, economic prosperity and security, critical and emerging technologies, and humanitarian assistance and emergency response. The ministers also expressed their shared conviction that cooperation with ASEAN is vital for the region's success.
On social media, Mr. Jaishankar noted that the ministers reviewed the Indo-Pacific landscape and discussed recent developments, following up on outcomes from the New Delhi meeting. Mr. Rubio stated that strong cooperation supports ASEAN's priorities and centrality.
The Japanese foreign ministry confirmed that the Quad will continue advancing concrete cooperation to realise a Free and Open Indo-Pacific. The ministers held candid discussions on situations in the Indo-Pacific and West Asia, including the East China Sea and South China Sea.
Mr. Motegi expressed strong opposition to any unilateral attempts to change the status quo by force or coercion, and voiced grave concerns over export restrictions, including on critical minerals. He also emphasised commitment to the complete denuclearisation of North Korea.
The ministers looked forward to the next Quad Leaders' Summit and foreign ministers' meeting, underscoring the grouping's ongoing priority.
