Washington, DC [US]: Foreign ministers from the Quad countries—India, Australia, Japan, and the United States—issued a joint statement reaffirming their shared commitment to strengthening a free and open Indo-Pacific, where “sovereignty and territorial integrity are upheld and defended.” The Quad nations also expressed their strong opposition “to any unilateral actions aimed at changing the status quo through force or coercion.”
The meeting took place at the US Department of State, where US Secretary of State Marco Rubio hosted his Quad counterparts—India’s External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, Japan’s Takeshi Iwaya, and Australia’s Penny Wong.
Following the meeting, the Quad foreign ministers released a joint statement, emphasizing their preparations for the next Quad Leaders’ Summit to be hosted by India. The statement read, “We, the Secretary of State of the United States and the Foreign Ministers of Australia, India, and Japan, met today in Washington DC to reaffirm our shared commitment to strengthening a Free and Open Indo-Pacific where the rule of law, democratic values, sovereignty, and territorial integrity are upheld and defended.”
The statement further emphasized, “Our four nations maintain our conviction that international law, economic opportunity, peace, stability, and security in all domains including the maritime domain underpin the development and prosperity of the peoples of the Indo-Pacific.”
The Quad nations also highlighted their commitment “to strengthening regional maritime, economic, and technology security in the face of increasing threats, as well as promoting reliable and resilient supply chains.” They also expressed their intent to “advance the work of the Quad in the coming months and will meet together on a regular basis as we prepare for the next Quad Leaders’ Summit hosted by India.”
Earlier, S. Jaishankar shared a post on X about the productive Quad Foreign Ministers’ Meeting, thanking US Secretary of State Marco Rubio for hosting the event and expressing appreciation for the participation of Australia’s Penny Wong and Japan’s Takeshi Iwaya. Jaishankar wrote, “Attended a productive Quad Foreign Ministers’ Meeting today in Washington DC. Thank @secrubio for hosting us and FMs @SenatorWong & Takeshi Iwaya for their participation. Significant that the Quad FMM took place within hours of the inauguration of the Trump Administration.”
The ministers discussed a wide range of issues aimed at ensuring a free, open, stable, and prosperous Indo-Pacific. Jaishankar highlighted the need for expanded collaboration, stating, “Agreed on the importance of thinking bigger, deepening the agenda, and intensifying our collaboration. The meeting today sends a clear message that in an uncertain and volatile world, the Quad will continue to be a force for global good.”
The Quad is a diplomatic partnership between India, Australia, Japan, and the United States, committed to fostering an open, stable, and prosperous Indo-Pacific region.