Washington, July 3: Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar on Tuesday said a more focused and cohesive Quad will enhance its effectiveness, while strongly asserting India’s right to defend itself against terrorism and urging partner nations to understand its stance.
Speaking at the Quad Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in Washington D.C., hosted by U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Jaishankar said the grouping—comprising the United States, India, Japan, and Australia—has made “significant progress” in recent months across areas such as maritime cooperation, logistics, education, and political coordination.
“The working of the Quad is being made more efficient through streamlining the working groups,” Jaishankar said. “A more cohesive, nimble and focused Quad will certainly help deliver better.”
The Indian minister used his opening remarks to highlight India’s recent experience with terrorism, stating that the world must display “zero tolerance” and that “victims and perpetrators must never be equated.”
“India has every right to defend its people against terrorism, and we will exercise that right,” Jaishankar said. “We expect our Quad partners to understand and appreciate that.”
The meeting was also attended by Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong and Japanese Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya. Wong acknowledged the Quad’s swift response to the March 28 earthquake in Myanmar, saying it demonstrated the grouping’s capacity to act in times of crisis.
“In the backdrop of conflict and escalating competition, it is necessary to harness Quad’s collective strength for peace, stability, and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific,” Wong said.
Reiterating India’s commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific and the rules-based international order, Jaishankar said the region’s nations must have “the freedom of choice” to make independent decisions on development and security.
He also confirmed that India is on track to host the next Quad Leaders’ Summit, and that New Delhi has submitted proposals to ensure its productivity.
On the sidelines of the meeting, Jaishankar held bilateral talks with Japan’s Foreign Minister Iwaya, discussing infrastructure, investment, and mobility. He described the India-Japan relationship as a “special, strategic and global partnership” that continues to deepen.
Secretary Rubio noted that the Quad could further focus on developing secure supply chains for critical minerals, a sector where all four countries have mutual strategic interests. The meeting follows an earlier informal gathering of Quad foreign ministers held in January during President Donald Trump’s swearing-in ceremony.
