New Delhi will host the Quad foreign ministers’ meeting on May 26, with discussions set to focus on the evolving situation in the Indo-Pacific region and the wider international political climate, including the impact of the war in West Asia.
The Quad comprises India, the United States, Australia and Japan. The grouping works toward promoting peace, security and stability in the Indo-Pacific, and is widely seen as aimed at countering China’s growing influence in the region.
With India currently holding the Quad’s chair, the Ministry of External Affairs has convened the meeting in Delhi. External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar will chair the talks, with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong and Japan’s Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi attending.
According to the ministry, the meeting will build on discussions held in Washington on July 1 last year. Ministers are expected to review progress on ongoing initiatives, strengthen cooperation among the four countries, and take stock of recent regional developments.
The visiting ministers are also scheduled to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi after the conference. On the sidelines, the foreign ministers of Australia, Japan and the US will hold bilateral talks with Jaishankar, the statement said.
