Jaishankar to meet Quad counterparts on sidelines of ASEAN meet in Manila

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar is set to meet his Quad counterparts, Australia, Japan and the United States, at the sidelines of ASEAN-related meetings in Manila, the Philippines, this week. The meeting marks the second Quad foreign ministers' gathering in nearly two months, following their previous session in New Delhi in late May. During that meeting, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio visited India for discussions with Jaishankar. Despite these recent engagements, the Quad has yet to determine the date for its upcoming Leaders’ Summit, originally planned to be hosted by India last year. Jaishankar's visit to Manila takes place from July 22 to 23, during which he will take part in multiple foreign ministers' meetings under the ASEAN framework. These include the ASEAN-India, East Asia Summit (EAS) and ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) gatherings. The external affairs ministry confirmed that Jaishankar will engage in a Quad foreign ministers' meeting alongside his Australian, Japanese and American counterparts, though specific details of the discussion remain undisclosed. In addition to the Quad meeting, Jaishankar will conduct bilateral talks with officials from several other nations. This trip underscores India's growing involvement with ASEAN through its Act East policy, reinforcing New Delhi's dedication to strengthening the ASEAN-India Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. The ministry noted that the visit holds particular importance as 2026 has been designated the ASEAN-India Year of Maritime Cooperation. The timing aligns with broader efforts to enhance regional collaboration in maritime domains, reflecting shared interests among participating nations. During the last Quad foreign ministers' meeting in New Delhi on May 26, the group announced several initiatives. These included an energy security program designed to assist Indo-Pacific nations dealing with supply chain disruptions caused by conflicts in Western Asia, as well as a plan to construct a port in Fiji. The Quad also introduced new measures to boost existing collaborations in areas such as maritime surveillance and critical minerals. These initiatives were framed as responses to China's increasing influence in the region, particularly its assertiveness in infrastructure and telecommunications sectors. Since September 2024, the Quad has held three foreign ministers' meetings, with this current one being the second in less than two months. However, there has been no formal announcement regarding the scheduling of the next Leaders’ Summit. While the group has made strides in coordinating joint efforts, the absence of a clear timeline for high-level summits highlights ongoing challenges in maintaining consistent leadership engagement. The Quad's activities have increasingly focused on addressing geopolitical tensions and fostering economic resilience across the Indo-Pacific. With rising concerns over global trade dynamics and strategic competition, the grouping continues to explore ways to bolster collective capabilities and promote regional stability. As Jaishankar engages with his counterparts in Manila, the outcomes of these discussions could shape future diplomatic and economic strategies within the Quad framework.