The Foreign Ministers of the four Quad nations met in New Delhi on 26 May 2026 for talks on Indo-Pacific security, maritime cooperation, and strategic priorities. The meeting was chaired by External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar and attended by United States Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong, and Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi. The venue was Hyderabad House.
In keeping with the Quad vision for a free and open Indo-Pacific, the ministers built on discussions held in Washington, D.C., on 1 July 2025. They exchanged views on advancing Quad cooperation across priority areas, reviewed progress on ongoing Quad initiatives, and reflected on recent developments in the Indo-Pacific region and other international issues of mutual concern. This is the third such gathering since September 2024. The three visiting ministers also called on Prime Minister Narendra Modi separately during their stay in New Delhi.
Opening the meeting, External Affairs Minister Jaishankar described the Quad nations as “maritime democracies, pluralistic societies, and market economies” and said they shared a collective responsibility toward ensuring a free and open Indo-Pacific.
Key Outcomes
The Quad nations agreed on the Indo-Pacific Maritime Surveillance Initiative and a Common Operating Picture in the maritime domain. They also finalised the Quad Critical Minerals Framework and signed the India-US Critical Minerals Framework. EAM Jaishankar posted on X following the meeting: “Three major takeaways: Agreed on the Indo-Pacific Maritime Surveillance Initiative and on a Common Operating Picture in the maritime domain. Will consider setting up an expert panel on port infrastructure, collaborate on a pilot port project in Fiji, and work jointly on undersea cable connectivity.”
Addressing the media after the meeting, EAM Jaishankar described the discussions as “substantive and productive” and said the focus remained on issues concerning the Indo-Pacific region. He said the ministers discussed safe and unimpeded maritime commerce and reaffirmed cooperation among the Quad nations in areas including maritime surveillance, logistics networks, undersea cables, training, capacity building, and Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) operations.
On counter-terrorism, EAM Jaishankar stressed the importance of countering terrorism, saying the Quad nations, as democratic societies, remain committed to addressing common security threats. He stated that there must be zero tolerance for terrorism and that nations subject to terrorist attacks have the right to defend themselves.
Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong stated, “We all share a vision for the Indo-Pacific — a region that is free and open, peaceful, stable and prosperous,” highlighting cooperation on disaster response, maritime security, undersea cables and critical minerals.
Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi participated in his first Quad Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in this format under India’s Chairship.
Alongside the four-way ministerial session, each of the visiting ministers held bilateral meetings with EAM Jaishankar. Rubio, Wong, and Motegi also called on Prime Minister Narendra Modi during their visit to New Delhi.
