Developments in West Asia, growing tensions in the Indo-Pacific and preparations for the long-pending Quad Leaders’ Summit are expected to dominate discussions during the upcoming meeting of foreign ministers from the four-nation grouping in New Delhi on May 26.
S. Jaishankar will host the meeting at Hyderabad House with his counterparts Penny Wong, Toshimitsu Motegi, and Marco Rubio.
Rubio is scheduled to arrive in India over the weekend for his first bilateral visit since taking over as US secretary of state last year. India aligned the Quad foreign ministers’ meeting with his trip to facilitate wider strategic discussions.
Focus on Indo Pacific and global security
According to the Ministry of External Affairs, the ministers are expected to build upon conversations held during the Quad foreign ministers’ meeting in Washington in July 2025.
The discussions will centre on strengthening cooperation under the Quad framework while advancing the group’s shared vision of a free, open and inclusive Indo Pacific region.
The ministry said the leaders would review ongoing Quad initiatives, explore new areas of collaboration and exchange views on recent developments across the Indo Pacific and other global issues of common concern.
Apart from the formal Quad session, the visiting foreign ministers from Australia, Japan and the United States are also expected to hold bilateral meetings with Jaishankar and separately meet Narendra Modi.
Delayed Quad Summit likely to feature prominently
The future of the much delayed Quad Leaders’ Summit is also expected to emerge as a key discussion point during the meeting.
India was originally expected to hand over the chairmanship of the Quad to Australia in 2026, but New Delhi continues to remain chair due to repeated delays in holding the summit.
There is still no official confirmation regarding when the leaders’ meeting will finally take place.
Quad’s role under renewed global tensions
The Quadrilateral Security Dialogue gained prominence during US President Donald Trump’s first term, when the grouping was elevated to the level of top leadership amid growing concerns over China’s influence in the Indo Pacific.
Although there has been comparatively less momentum around the Quad during Trump’s second term, Rubio convened a Quad foreign ministers’ meeting shortly after assuming office earlier in 2025.
People familiar with the matter said the upcoming New Delhi meeting is unlikely to produce major announcements or new initiatives. However, it is expected to serve as an important platform to discuss ongoing conflicts in West Asia and Ukraine, China’s expanding regional posture and broader strategic coordination among Quad members.
The US side is also expected to brief partners on Trump’s recent visit to China and the outcomes of those discussions.
At the previous Quad Summit held in the United States in 2024, the grouping announced steps aimed at expanding maritime security cooperation throughout the Indo Pacific region.
