Quad seeks free & open Indo-Pacific, pushes back against Chinese assertiveness
UPSC / SSC current affairs note
Why in news
External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar attended the Quad Foreign Ministers Meeting in Manila on July 22, 2026, alongside US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and counterparts from Australia and Japan. The meeting reaffirmed commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific and support for ASEAN centrality, amid escalating China-Philippines tensions in the South China Sea.
Background
The Quad (Quadrilateral Security Dialogue) comprises Australia, India, Japan, and the US. It has been meeting regularly to coordinate on Indo-Pacific issues, including maritime security and economic cooperation, often in response to Chinese assertiveness in the region.
Key facts
Quad foreign ministers met on July 22, 2026, in Manila on the margins of ASEAN-related meetings.
Participants: S. Jaishankar (India), Marco Rubio (US), Penny Wong (Australia), Toshimitsu Motegi (Japan).
They reaffirmed commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific and unwavering support for ASEAN unity and centrality.
Discussed the situation in the East China Sea and South China Sea; Japan opposed unilateral changes by force or coercion.
Expressed grave concerns over export restrictions, including on critical minerals.
Meeting occurred amid escalating China-Philippines tensions in the South China Sea.
This was the second Quad foreign ministers meeting in 2026, following one in Delhi in May.
The ministers looked forward to the next Quad Leaders' Summit.
Shared priorities: maritime security, economic security, critical and emerging technologies, humanitarian assistance.
Support for implementation of the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific (AOIP).
Prelims pointers
- Quad: Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (Australia, India, Japan, US)
- ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific (AOIP)
- ASEAN centrality
- East China Sea and South China Sea
- Critical minerals
- Manila, Philippines
Mains angles
- GS2: India's multi-alignment and strategic autonomy in foreign policy
- GS2: Role of Quad in Indo-Pacific security architecture
- GS2: India-China relations and maritime disputes
- GS2: ASEAN centrality and India's Act East policy
- GS2: Cooperation on critical minerals and economic security