SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions
Institutions: Ministry of External Affairs
At a Quad foreign ministers’ meeting hosted by U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio on 1 July 2025, representatives from the U.S., India, Australia, and Japan reaffirmed their joint commitment to a “free and open Indo-Pacific.” They pledged to uphold international law, enhance maritime security, and build resilient supply chains, reinforcing strategic cooperation in the region.
However, the gathering also unfolded against a backdrop of rising bilateral tensions: trade and defense disagreements - rooted in recent U.S. tariff policies and demands for higher defense spending - have complicated relations, particularly with Japan and Australia. Domestic and regional politics have added complexity, too, including India's differing perspectives on conflict prevention rhetoric.
In spite of these challenges, the Quad ministers emphasized their shared interests in maritime security, technology collaboration, pandemic preparedness, and education. Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar remarked, “relationships will never be free of issues… What matters is the ability to deal with it and to keep that trend going in the positive direction.”
Relevant question for policy stakeholders: How can India leverage the Quad framework to balance its strategic autonomy with collective regional goals, especially in managing bilateral frictions with partners while advancing cooperation on security, supply chains, and regional stability?
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