Washington — Foreign ministers of the Quad countries — the United States, India, Japan, and Australia — convened in Washington to reaffirm their strategic cooperation in the Indo-Pacific region. While the meeting focused on strengthening security and economic ties, it was also marked by a notable joint statement condemning a terrorist attack in Indian-administered Kashmir that occurred in April.
In their official communiqué, the Quad ministers condemned the April attack in Indian Kashmir, expressing solidarity with the victims and stressing the importance of combating terrorism in all its forms. Although the statement stopped short of naming Pakistan, it was widely interpreted as a unified signal against cross-border terrorism and regional instability. Indian External Affairs Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar welcomed the support, viewing it as a significant sign of shared concern over security threats in South Asia.
The ministers also addressed broader regional goals, launching the Quad Critical Minerals Initiative to enhance supply chain resilience and reduce dependence on China for rare earths and other strategic materials. The initiative is expected to involve over 30 companies from across the four countries, focusing on cooperation in extraction, processing, and distribution of these essential resources.
However, the meeting was not without internal friction. Bilateral tensions surfaced as legacy tariffs from the Trump era continued to impact trade relations among Quad partners. India and the United States are currently in negotiations to resolve key tariff disputes, particularly concerning U.S. exports.
Japan’s sudden cancellation of a planned high-level defense dialogue with the United States further underscored growing dissatisfaction over Washington’s push for increased Japanese defense spending. Tokyo’s reluctance to meet the proposed 3.5 percent of GDP target was influenced in part by domestic political pressures ahead of upcoming elections.
Australia, meanwhile, raised concerns about delays in the AUKUS nuclear submarine deal, as the United States reviews its strategic defense commitments. Canberra fears these uncertainties could hinder planned cooperation on naval capabilities.
Despite these strains, the ministers reiterated their commitment to shared values and regional security. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio emphasized that the Quad must move from statements to action in areas such as defense, economic cooperation, and maritime freedom. The group also discussed strengthening collaboration on cyber security, infrastructure, and clean energy technologies.
The strong joint stance on the Kashmir terror attack was seen as a key takeaway from the summit. It highlighted a growing willingness among Quad members to address sensitive regional security issues, marking a step forward in strategic alignment.
As tensions with China continue to shape Indo-Pacific geopolitics, the Quad’s ability to balance internal disagreements while maintaining collective focus will be critical to its long-term effectiveness.