The Quad nations reaffirmed their commitment to a free, open and rules-based Indo-Pacific while unveiling a series of initiatives aimed at strengthening maritime security, economic resilience, critical technologies and disaster response cooperation across the region, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said on Tuesday.
In a joint statement issued after the Quad Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in New Delhi, the foreign ministers of Australia, India and Japan along with the Secretary of State of the United States stressed that peace, stability and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific depend on adherence to international law, sovereignty and the peaceful resolution of disputes.
According to the statement the grouping strongly opposed unilateral actions aimed at altering the status quo by force or coercion, saying such moves undermine regional peace and stability. The ministers reiterated support for freedom of navigation, unimpeded commerce and adherence to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).
The MEA said the Quad expressed serious concern over developments in the East China Sea and South China Sea, including militarisation of disputed features, dangerous manoeuvres by military aircraft and coast guard vessels, obstruction of navigation rights and interference in offshore resource development.
The ministers also discussed the situation in the Middle East and backed ongoing diplomatic efforts for lasting peace in the region. They condemned attacks on commercial shipping vessels and opposed any measures inconsistent with UNCLOS, including the imposition of tolls affecting maritime commerce through key routes such as the Strait of Hormuz and the Red Sea.
On regional security, the Quad reiterated its commitment to the complete denuclearisation of North Korea and condemned Pyongyang’s ballistic missile and weapons programmes. It also voiced concern over North Korea’s cyber activities and military cooperation with other countries that undermine the global non-proliferation regime.
The grouping also reaffirmed support for ASEAN centrality, the Pacific Islands Forum and the Indian Ocean Rim Association, while expressing concern over the continuing conflict in Myanmar and its impact on regional security.
Under the maritime and transnational security pillar, the Quad announced the operationalisation of the Indian Ocean Region programme of the Indo-Pacific Partnership for Maritime Domain Awareness (IPMDA) through the Information Fusion Centre – Indian Ocean Region in Gurugram. The countries also unveiled the Indo-Pacific Maritime Surveillance Collaboration (IPMSC), aimed at enhancing coordination and real-time maritime information sharing.
India will host the next Quad-at-Sea Ship Observer Mission following the inaugural edition conducted from Palau to Guam in 2025.
The Quad unequivocally condemned terrorism in all forms, including the Pahalgam terror attack in India in April 2025 and the Bondi Beach attack in Australia in December 2025. The ministers called for sustained global efforts against terror networks, financiers and cross-border terrorism.
The statement also highlighted growing concern over online scam centres operating in Southeast Asia and linked transnational crimes such as human trafficking, cybercrime and illicit financing.
On economic security, the Quad announced the launch of the Quad Critical Minerals Framework to strengthen cooperation on mining, processing and recycling of critical minerals and reduce dependence on single-country supply chains. The grouping also launched the Quad Initiative on Indo-Pacific Energy Security to enhance resilient and diversified energy markets and supply chains.
In infrastructure development, the Quad announced plans to work with the government of Fiji on advancing port infrastructure projects. The ministers also underlined the importance of trusted undersea cable systems and pledged continued support for secure digital connectivity across Pacific Island nations.
The Quad reaffirmed cooperation in critical and emerging technologies, including 5G, 6G and artificial intelligence, while backing open and interoperable digital architectures. The statement also welcomed “Pax Silica” as part of the grouping’s economic security agenda, focusing on semiconductors, advanced manufacturing and trusted technology networks.
The partners further committed to strengthening pharmaceutical and biomanufacturing supply chains and enhancing health security cooperation across the Indo-Pacific.
On humanitarian assistance and disaster response, the Quad highlighted coordinated relief efforts during the Enga landslide in Papua New Guinea in 2024 and the Myanmar earthquake in 2025. The ministers welcomed progress on the Indo-Pacific Logistics Network aimed at improving rapid disaster response capabilities.
Reaffirming their commitment as “four leading democracies and maritime nations”, the Quad members said they looked forward to the upcoming Quad Leaders’ Summit and future engagements aimed at advancing peace, stability and prosperity across the Indo-Pacific region and beyond.
