The foreign ministers of the Quad grouping met in New Delhi on Tuesday to discuss critical minerals, maritime security, and energy security amid concerns over the war in West Asia.
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar hosted Foreign Minister of Australia Penny Wong, Foreign Minister of Japan Toshimitsu Motegi and United States Secretary of State Marco Rubio at Hyderabad House. The ministers are expected to address the impact of the war in West Asia on energy and maritime security, including concerns over the closure of the Strait of Hormuz and its effects on freedom of navigation and supply chains for critical minerals and semiconductors.
The meeting comes as the four nations seek to recommit to a free and open Indo-Pacific. Wong said the Quad is a vital partnership delivering outcomes on maritime security, critical minerals supply, infrastructure development and disaster relief. Jaishankar noted that India and Japan share a special strategic partnership with larger implications for regional issues.
Rubio is in India for a bilateral visit and held talks with Jaishankar on Sunday. The ministers will also call on Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The discussions are set to pave the way for a Quad leaders’ summit later this year.
