Quad – Foreign Ministers Set for Philippines Meeting to Boost Indo-Pacific Cooperation
Quad – The Quad countries are preparing for another round of high-level diplomatic engagement, with the foreign ministers of India, the United States, Japan and Australia expected to meet in the Philippines within the next two weeks. The announcement was made by US Ambassador to India Sergio Gor during the US-India Strategic Partnership Forum (USISPF) Leadership Summit, where he highlighted the group’s continued commitment to strengthening peace, security and prosperity across the Indo-Pacific region.
Diplomatic engagements to continue after Delhi meeting
Speaking at the summit, Gor said the upcoming discussions in the Philippines would take place alongside other scheduled diplomatic events. He noted that the recent Quad Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in New Delhi had laid the foundation for further cooperation, and the participating nations were eager to maintain that momentum through regular consultations.
According to the ambassador, the Philippines meeting will be followed by another ministerial-level gathering in Australia. Discussions are also underway to finalize a future summit involving the leaders of all four Quad members. Gor indicated that the proposed leaders’ meeting could include a visit by US President Donald Trump to India, though details are still being worked out.
Maritime security remains a major focus
The US envoy underlined that maritime security continues to be one of the most significant priorities for the Quad partnership. He said the four nations remain committed to strengthening security and stability across the Indo-Pacific by working closely with regional partners.
Referring to initiatives announced during the recent ministerial meeting in New Delhi, Gor said the Quad plans to support boat-building projects across the region, including assistance for Fiji. The objective, he explained, is to improve maritime capabilities while increasing the presence of trusted partners in strategically important areas of the Pacific.
He added that the United States intends to deepen cooperation with countries that share similar values and interests, describing India as one of Washington’s closest and most reliable partners in the region.
India-US defence cooperation continues to expand
Rejecting claims that defence ties between India and the United States have weakened, Gor said military cooperation between the two countries remains stronger than ever. He pointed out that India conducts more military exercises with the United States than with any other nation, reflecting the depth of the bilateral defence partnership.
The ambassador said joint activities take place almost every month, including visits by Indian and American military personnel, training programmes and operational exchanges. He also revealed that another delegation from the Indian Navy is expected to visit the United States within the next two weeks as part of ongoing defence engagement.
Strategic partnership extends beyond defence
Gor emphasized that Washington continues to view India as a vital strategic partner in the Indo-Pacific. He said collaboration between the two countries extends well beyond defence and includes maritime security, advanced technology, regional stability and other areas of shared interest.
The ambassador reaffirmed the United States’ intention to further strengthen cooperation with India while supporting broader regional initiatives aimed at maintaining a free, open and inclusive Indo-Pacific.
Quad’s role continues to grow in the Indo-Pacific
The Quad, consisting of Australia, India, Japan and the United States, has steadily expanded its influence as an important strategic partnership in the Indo-Pacific. Although it is not a formal military alliance, the grouping works together on issues such as maritime security, critical and emerging technologies, resilient supply chains, infrastructure development, cybersecurity and humanitarian assistance.
In recent years, the four countries have intensified their collaboration through regular leaders’ summits, foreign ministers’ meetings and the annual Malabar naval exercise. Their cooperation has also broadened to include vaccine partnerships, technology initiatives and efforts to strengthen maritime domain awareness, reflecting the group’s growing role in addressing regional challenges and promoting long-term stability.