The foreign ministers of the Quad nations—India, the United States, Japan, and Australia—held a key meeting in Manila, Philippines, where they reaffirmed their commitment to maintaining peace, stability, and a rules-based order in the Indo-Pacific region. The leaders also reiterated their strong support for ASEAN's unity and central role in addressing regional challenges.

The meeting was attended by India's External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Australia's Foreign Minister Penny Wong, and Japan's Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya. The four leaders emphasised that, as Comprehensive Strategic Partners of ASEAN, their countries remain committed to working closely with Southeast Asian nations to promote regional stability, security, and economic growth.

Focus on Indo-Pacific Challenges

During the discussions, the Quad ministers reviewed the evolving security and economic landscape in the Indo-Pacific. They exchanged views on the region's emerging opportunities as well as challenges, agreeing that closer cooperation is essential to ensure long-term peace and prosperity.

A major focus of the meeting was the implementation of the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific (AOIP). The Quad countries agreed to work alongside ASEAN to translate the framework into practical initiatives that benefit the region.

Cooperation Across Key Sectors

The four nations identified several priority areas for deeper collaboration, including:

• Maritime security and freedom of navigation
• Combating transnational crime
• Strengthening economic resilience and supply chains
• Cooperation in critical and emerging technologies
• Humanitarian assistance and disaster relief
• Enhancing regional economic security

The ministers agreed that expanding cooperation in these sectors would help create a more secure, connected, and resilient Indo-Pacific.

Commitment to a Free and Open Indo-Pacific

In their joint statement, the Quad members stressed that peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific's maritime domain are essential for the region's security and economic development. They reaffirmed their shared vision of a free, open, inclusive, and rules-based Indo-Pacific, while highlighting ASEAN's important role in achieving this objective.

The meeting comes at a time when geopolitical developments, maritime security concerns, technological competition, and supply chain resilience have become increasingly important in the Indo-Pacific. The Quad countries expressed their intention to deepen coordination with ASEAN and continue working together on shared regional priorities.

The discussions reflected the Quad's growing focus on strengthening partnerships across the Indo-Pacific, with ASEAN remaining at the centre of its efforts to promote stability, sustainable development, and regional cooperation.