The Quad grouping on Tuesday unveiled a series of new initiatives on maritime security, critical minerals, energy resilience and Indo-Pacific infrastructure, as leaders from India, the United States, Japan and Australia pushed for deeper strategic coordination amid growing geopolitical uncertainty in the region.
Addressing a joint press interaction after the Quad Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in New Delhi, India’s External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said the four countries had held “substantive and productive” discussions focused largely on the Indo-Pacific and the changing global situation.
The meeting comes at a time when concerns around maritime security, supply chain disruptions, energy flows and regional coercion are increasingly shaping the Indo-Pacific discourse. The ministers repeatedly stressed the need for a “free and open Indo-Pacific”, stronger economic resilience and adherence to international law, while also referencing tensions linked to the Strait of Hormuz and critical global trade routes.
“We spent some time on the question of safe and unimpeded maritime commerce and reaffirmed the significance of scrupulously observing international law,” Jaishankar said.
He added that the Quad countries would continue expanding cooperation in areas such as maritime surveillance, logistics, undersea cables, humanitarian assistance and disaster relief operations.
Quad unveils maritime and critical minerals initiatives
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced the launch of the Indo-Pacific Maritime Surveillance Cooperation Initiative, aimed at enhancing information-sharing and maritime monitoring capabilities across the region.
Rubio said the initiative would work alongside the expanded Indo-Pacific Maritime Domain Awareness Initiative, which would provide near real-time commercial maritime data to countries in the region.
“The Quad Critical Minerals Framework will guide each of us to leverage economic policy tools and coordinate investment to strengthen critical mineral supply chains,” Rubio said.
#WATCH | Following the Quad Foreign Ministers’ meeting, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio says, “We’ll announce the Quad Critical Minerals Framework, which will guide each of us to leverage economic policy tools and coordinate investment to strengthen critical mineral supply… pic.twitter.com/gokDxpmoxu
— ANI (@ANI) May 26, 2026
The US Secretary of State also announced a new Quad initiative focused on Indo-Pacific energy security, adding that the US Department of Energy would host a fuel security forum later this year.
He noted that around 60 per cent of global maritime trade passes through the Indo-Pacific, making maritime security a “vital national interest” for countries across the world.
‘Zero tolerance for terrorism’
Jaishankar said the Quad countries also discussed counter-terrorism cooperation during the meeting.
“There must be zero tolerance for terrorism, and nations subject to terrorist attacks have the right to defend themselves,” he said.
The External Affairs Minister further said the Indo-Pacific would become even more important in the coming years due to rising economic activity, maritime trade and energy movement.
“As maritime democracies, pluralistic societies and market economies, we share the responsibility towards a free and open Indo-Pacific,” he said earlier during the meeting.
Australia flags Strait of Hormuz concerns
Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong said the Indo-Pacific region was facing “acute economic stress” and referred to concerns linked to the Strait of Hormuz.
“We know the consequences for our region of the Iranian closure of the Strait of Hormuz, and what that means for our energy security,” Wong said.
She also announced the Quad Ports of the Future Partnership, beginning with a pilot port infrastructure project in Fiji.
According to Wong, the Quad nations would also coordinate maritime surveillance efforts in the Indian Ocean and expand cooperation on cybercrime, scam centres and illegal fishing.
“We know we work better in partnership across our region,” she said.
Japan backs stronger Indo-Pacific resilience
Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi said the Quad remained central to advancing the vision of a Free and Open Indo-Pacific.
Motegi said the Indo-Pacific countries must strengthen resilience and develop the capacity to determine their own future, especially in areas linked to economic security.
He also said the four countries opposed unilateral attempts to change the status quo “by force or coercion”.
#WATCH | Delhi | After the Quad Foreign Ministers’ meeting, Foreign Minister of Japan Toshimitsu Motegi says,” I am delighted to see the progress of the Quad cooperation, which is the propellant for realising the Free and Open Indo-Pacific. There has been a significant change in… pic.twitter.com/VR3L461Nzk
— ANI (@ANI) May 26, 2026
The Japanese minister expressed concern over restrictions on critical minerals exports and reiterated support for the complete denuclearisation of North Korea.
He added that the ministers discussed the situation in Iran and stressed the importance of diplomatic efforts to ensure safe navigation through the Strait of Hormuz.
The Quad Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in New Delhi was attended by Jaishankar, Rubio, Wong and Motegi.