Manila Quad Meeting Reaffirms Open Indo‑Pacific Vision

In Manila on July 22, the foreign ministers of the Quad – India, the United States, Australia and Japan – sat down with their ASEAN peers for a high‑level discussion. The joint declaration that followed highlighted the collective resolve to safeguard a free, open and rule‑based Indo‑Pacific environment. The ministers pledged to expand collaboration with ASEAN, citing the bloc’s pivotal role in maintaining regional order. Areas identified for joint action included maritime security, economic development, emerging technology sectors, and coordinated humanitarian and disaster‑relief efforts, all anchored to the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo‑Pacific framework. The statement concluded that uninterrupted peace and stability across the Indo‑Pacific seas are indispensable for the security and growth of the region. Indian Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar posted on X, expressing delight at the meeting’s progress and reiterating the agenda set at the recent New Delhi Quad summit.