External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar will travel to Washington next week to attend a crucial meeting of the Quad foreign ministers, the US State Department confirmed on Thursday, 27 June.
India will host the high-level Quad summit later this year, and the upcoming meeting sets the stage for it.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio will chair the meeting, with Australia’s Foreign Minister Penny Wong and Japan’s Foreign Minister Iwaya Takeshi also participating.
Principal Deputy Spokesperson Thomas Pigott noted that the gathering, scheduled for Tuesday, will build upon the strong diplomatic momentum generated since the beginning of Rubio’s term.
Focus on Indo-Pacific security
Pigott emphasised that the meeting is part of ongoing efforts to promote a ‘free, open, and secure Indo-Pacific’, highlighting the significance of the Quad in addressing regional challenges, particularly those posed by China.
“This is what American leadership looks like: strength, peace, and prosperity,” he remarked.
The upcoming discussions aim to reinforce the four-nation alliance’s shared commitment to safeguarding maritime security, upholding democratic values, and strengthening economic resilience in the Indo-Pacific region.
In preparation for the meeting, Dr Jaishankar held a phone conversation with his Australian counterpart, Penny Wong, which he confirmed via social media platform X.
A good discussion this morning with FM @SenatorWong of Australia before we head out for the Quad next week.
Exchanged views on our bilateral cooperation and the Indo-Pacific.
🇮🇳 🇦🇺
— Dr. S. Jaishankar (@DrSJaishankar) June 26, 2025
The Quad foreign ministers’ meeting will be the first high-level engagement since the recent Pahalgam terror attack, signalling a united front on security issues.
Before arriving in Washington, Jaishankar is scheduled to inaugurate an exhibition at the United Nations Headquarters in New York on Monday.
Titled The Human Cost of Terrorism, the exhibition aims to shed light on the global impact of terrorist violence.
India’s UN Mission stated that the initiative seeks to honour victims and raise awareness of terrorism’s human toll, coinciding with Pakistan’s upcoming presidency of the UN Security Council.
Paving the way for the Summit
Next week’s ministerial meeting is likely to lay critical groundwork for the forthcoming Quad summit in India.
The event will see participation from US President Donald Trump, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, and Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi had earlier expressed his eagerness to host the summit, reflecting India’s growing role in shaping regional dialogue.
With recent tensions in the Middle East and Eastern Europe showing signs of easing, the strategic focus is shifting back to the Indo-Pacific.
The Quad’s renewed engagement signals a coordinated effort to counterbalance China’s influence and reaffirm commitment to regional stability and multilateral cooperation.
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