The Quad nations on Tuesday presented a united position on maritime security, energy resilience, critical supply chains and a free and open Indo-Pacific amid rising tensions linked to the Iran conflict and the Strait of Hormuz crisis.
Foreign ministers from India, the United States, Australia and Japan announced several new initiatives focused on maritime surveillance, port infrastructure, energy security and critical minerals. The four countries also stressed the importance of international law, freedom of navigation and regional stability.
After the Quad Foreign Ministers’ Meeting, India’s External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar said the member nations had agreed on maintaining “zero tolerance” towards terrorism.
He also reaffirmed the group’s commitment to preserving a free and open Indo-Pacific.
Jaishankar said countries facing terror attacks “have the right to defend themselves.” He added that the four democracies were strengthening cooperation through maritime security, economic partnerships and technology collaboration.
Quad Focuses On Maritime Security
The foreign ministers discussed the growing importance of maritime security as concerns continue over possible disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz and their impact on global energy trade.
Jaishankar said the countries agreed on the importance of safe and uninterrupted maritime commerce and respect for international law.
He added that cooperation among Quad nations had steadily expanded in areas such as maritime surveillance, logistics, undersea cables, training, humanitarian assistance and disaster relief.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced the launch of the Indo-Pacific Maritime Surveillance Cooperation Initiative to improve information-sharing among member nations.
Rubio also confirmed the expansion of the Indo-Pacific Maritime Domain Awareness Initiative, which will provide near-real-time maritime tracking data to countries across the region.
He said maritime security had become increasingly important because nearly 60 per cent of global maritime trade passes through the Indo-Pacific region.
Rubio also announced that the Quad would jointly work with Fiji on a port infrastructure project, calling it the grouping’s first collective port initiative in the Pacific.
Iran Conflict Raises Energy Security Concerns
Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong said the worsening strategic situation and Iran’s threat to close the Strait of Hormuz had increased the need for stronger cooperation on energy security and freedom of navigation.
She announced the launch of a new Indo-Pacific Energy Security Initiative.
Wong also opposed any “tolling proposition” affecting important maritime routes.
She highlighted expanding cooperation among Quad nations in maritime surveillance, cybersecurity, law enforcement and efforts to tackle illegal fishing and trafficking.
Rubio additionally announced the Quad Critical Minerals Framework. The initiative aims to strengthen supply chains through coordinated investments in mining, processing and recycling of critical minerals.
Japan Raises Concerns Over Coercion And North Korea
Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi said the Quad remained central to achieving a “Free and Open Indo-Pacific.”
Without directly naming China, Motegi said the countries strongly opposed attempts to “unilaterally change the status quo by force or coercion.”
He also expressed concern over restrictions on critical mineral exports and reaffirmed support for the complete denuclearisation of North Korea.
Motegi warned that tensions involving Iran and the Strait of Hormuz could have an “enormous impact” on the Indo-Pacific region, especially on global energy supplies.
He stressed the need for diplomatic efforts to ensure safe and free navigation through the strategic waterway.