Quad Foreign Ministers meet in New Delhi: Japan's Motegi, Rubio, Wong join Jaishankar
Synopsis
New Delhi is hosting its third Quad Foreign Ministers' meeting this diplomatic cycle, with Japan's Motegi, US Secretary of State Rubio, and Australia's Wong joining Jaishankar on Tuesday. Jaishankar's pointed reminder — that the Quad was revived under Trump's first term — signals India's intent to keep the grouping insulated from US domestic political turbulence.
Key Takeaways
Japanese FM Toshimitsu Motegi arrived in New Delhi on Monday, 25 May for the Quad Foreign Ministers' Meeting .
The meeting on Tuesday brings together S.
Jaishankar , Motegi , US Secretary of State Marco Rubio , and Australian FM Penny Wong .
This is the third Quad Foreign Ministers' meeting this cycle; two were held in 2024 and one in Washington, D.C. on 1 July 2025 .
Motegi is scheduled to call on PM Narendra Modi on Tuesday .
Jaishankar confirmed the Quad's continuity under the Trump administration, noting Rubio's first act as Secretary of State was attending a Quad meeting.
Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi arrived in New Delhi on Monday, 25 May to participate in the Quad Foreign Ministers' Meeting and hold bilateral talks with External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar. Motegi is also scheduled to call on Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday, making this a high-level diplomatic engagement at the heart of India's Indo-Pacific strategy.
Who Is at the Table
India is hosting the Quad Foreign Ministers' Meeting in New Delhi on Tuesday. The four participants are S. Jaishankar (India), Toshimitsu Motegi (Japan), US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong. The meeting marks the third Quad Foreign Ministers' gathering — two were held in 2024 alone, with the first under the current US administration taking place on the first day of Rubio's tenure.
What the Ministers Will Discuss
According to a Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) statement, the ministers will build on discussions held in Washington, D.C. on 1 July 2025. The agenda covers advancing cooperation across Quad priority areas, reviewing progress on ongoing initiatives, and reflecting on recent developments in the Indo-Pacific region and other international issues of mutual concern.
The MEA framed the Quad's purpose as working 'as a force for global good' in support of 'an open, free, and inclusive Indo-Pacific that is prosperous and resilient' — language that signals continuity despite shifts in US foreign policy posture under the Trump administration.
Jaishankar on the Indo-Pacific and Quad's Staying Power
At a joint press briefing with Secretary Rubio on Sunday, Jaishankar directly addressed questions about whether the Trump administration remains as committed to the Quad as its predecessor. 'I want to remind you that the Quad actually in the current form started during President Trump's first administration. And, actually, it picked up then,' he said.
Jaishankar further underscored the grouping's trajectory: 'We met on the first day of Secretary Rubio's tenure as Secretary of State. It was for a Quad meeting. And last year we actually had two Quad meetings. We're having a third Quad Foreign Ministers' meeting.' He added that the Indo-Pacific would 'become more and more important with the passage of time,' citing expanding India-US energy trade and growing maritime activity as drivers. 'I can assure you, we will have a good strong story to tell,' he said.
Broader Significance
This is the third Quad Foreign Ministers' meeting under the current diplomatic cycle, reflecting the grouping's institutionalisation beyond summit-level optics. Notably, the gathering comes amid heightened regional tensions and a period of active repositioning by major Indo-Pacific powers. India's role as host reinforces New Delhi's centrality to the grouping's operational momentum. The outcome statement on Tuesday will be closely watched for language on maritime security, technology cooperation, and supply-chain resilience.
Point of View
Not just optics. What remains unresolved is whether Quad deliverables — on semiconductors, vaccines, infrastructure — are keeping pace with the meeting cadence. The communiqué on Tuesday will reveal whether the grouping is building architecture or accumulating communiqués.
NationPress
5 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Quad Foreign Ministers' Meeting in New Delhi about?
The Quad Foreign Ministers' Meeting in New Delhi on Tuesday brings together the top diplomats of India, Japan, the United States, and Australia to advance cooperation on Indo-Pacific security, review ongoing Quad initiatives, and discuss international issues of mutual concern. It builds on discussions held in Washington, D.C. on 1 July 2025.
Who is attending the Quad meeting in New Delhi?
The four participants are India's External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, Japan's Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong. Japanese FM Motegi will also call on PM Narendra Modi on Tuesday.
Is this the first Quad meeting under the Trump administration?
No. According to Jaishankar, the very first act of Secretary Rubio on his first day in office was attending a Quad meeting. Two Quad Foreign Ministers' meetings were held in 2024, and Tuesday's gathering in New Delhi is the third in the current diplomatic cycle.
What does the Quad stand for and what is its purpose?
The Quad — short for the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue — brings together India, Australia, Japan, and the United States. According to the MEA, its stated purpose is to work as a force for global good and support an open, free, and inclusive Indo-Pacific that is prosperous and resilient.
What will come out of the New Delhi Quad meeting?
The ministers are expected to exchange views on Quad priority areas, review progress on ongoing initiatives, and discuss recent Indo-Pacific developments. An outcome statement is anticipated after Tuesday's meeting, which Jaishankar has said will carry 'a good strong story to tell.'
