India joins Quad partners in call for Indo-Pacific peace, ASEAN centrality amid Chinese assertiveness

A joint statement said the Quad reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening a free and open Indo-Pacific while extending “unwavering support” for “ASEAN unity and centrality”

Updated - July 22, 2026 08:48 pm IST - New Delhi

PTI

India joined its Quad partners in calling for peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific while reaffirming ASEAN’s centrality in the region, amid China’s increasing military assertiveness in the South China Sea.

The Quad meeting was held in Manila on Wednesday (July 22, 2026). Besides External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, the meeting was attended by:

• U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio
• Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong
• Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi

The Quad foreign ministers last met in New Delhi in late May, when Mr. Rubio travelled to India.

Key Outcomes

A joint statement said the Quad reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening a free and open Indo-Pacific while extending “unwavering support” for “ASEAN unity and centrality.”

The ASEAN, or the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, is considered one of the most influential groupings in the region. India and several other countries, including the U.S., China, Japan and Australia, are its dialogue partners.

“We are deeply invested in the region’s success and in cooperating with ASEAN and its member states,” the Quad foreign ministers said in the statement.

The ministers also discussed regional challenges and opportunities to strengthen support for the practical implementation of the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific (AOIP).

Priority Areas

The focus was on shared priorities:

• Maritime and transnational security
• Economic prosperity and security
• Critical and emerging technologies
• Humanitarian assistance and emergency response

“We are united in our conviction that peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific maritime domain underpin the security and prosperity of the region,” the foreign ministers said in the statement.

Ministerial Remarks

S. Jaishankar (India) said on social media that the Quad foreign ministers reviewed “the Indo-Pacific landscape and discussed recent developments.” He added that they “followed up on the outcomes of the recent New Delhi meeting” and committed to “a free and open Indo-Pacific with a recognition of ASEAN centrality.”

Marco Rubio (U.S.) said the meeting emphasised that strong cooperation is “vital to supporting ASEAN’s own priority and centrality in the region.” He noted that the U.S., India, Australia and Japan share a vision of a free and open Indo-Pacific grounded in the rule of law, sovereignty and territorial integrity. “The Quad remains a priority, and we will meet again later this year,” he said.

Toshimitsu Motegi (Japan) said it is “very significant” that the Quad ministers had gathered again so soon after their meeting in May, and that Wednesday’s meeting sends a strong message that the Quad is committed to promoting cooperation that benefits the region.

Japanese Statement

According to a statement from the Japanese foreign ministry:

• The Quad meeting confirmed that the grouping will continue advancing “concrete cooperation” to realise a free and open Indo-Pacific, focusing on the four areas of maritime and transnational security, economic prosperity and security, critical and emerging technologies, and humanitarian assistance and emergency response.
• The ministers held candid discussions and “aligned” their perspectives on the situations in the Indo-Pacific and West Asia, including the East China Sea and the South China Sea.
• Mr. Motegi shared strong opposition to “any unilateral attempts to change the status quo by force or coercion” and expressed “grave concerns over export restrictions, including on critical minerals,” while emphasising the commitment to the complete denuclearisation of North Korea.
• The four ministers “expressed that they look forward to the convening of the next Quad Leaders’ Summit.”