India’s External Affairs Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar hosted U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong and Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi for talks focused on recent developments across the Indo-Pacific and ways to advance cooperation among the four countries, according to India’s foreign ministry.

The meeting took place against a backdrop of heightened geopolitical tensions across Asia and ongoing concerns among Quad members about China’s growing military and economic footprint in the Indo-Pacific. The grouping has increasingly emphasized cooperation on maritime security, resilient supply chains, critical technologies and strategic infrastructure.

Officials were also expected to discuss the conflict involving Iran and disruptions to energy shipments through the Strait of Hormuz, a critical artery for global oil and gas trade.

The Quad has repeatedly expressed concern over Chinese activities in the South China Sea, where Beijing has asserted extensive territorial claims and expanded its military presence. China has rejected accusations of coercive behavior, saying its military posture is defensive and aimed at safeguarding what it considers sovereign rights. Beijing has also criticized the Quad, describing it as an effort to contain China’s rise and regional influence.

The talks came days after U.S. President Donald Trump visited China, a trip closely watched in New Delhi and other regional capitals for indications of any shift in Washington’s approach toward Beijing.

Rubio, who arrived in India on Saturday, said Washington wants the Quad to evolve beyond a consultative forum and pursue more tangible cooperation, including on maritime security and critical minerals. He also said officials were working toward a summit of Quad leaders later this year, though no date has been announced.

The four countries had previously aimed to hold a leaders’ summit in India last year, but the plan was postponed amid strains in U.S.-India relations, including disagreements over trade tariffs.

The Quad has emerged as one of the Indo-Pacific’s most prominent strategic partnerships, with members seeking closer coordination on regional security and economic resilience as competition between China and Western-aligned powers intensifies.

The meeting brought together India’s External Affairs Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi, Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong and Rubio at a time of heightened geopolitical uncertainty across the Indo-Pacific.

The talks came just days after U.S. President Donald Trump concluded a high-profile visit to China, during which he emphasized cooperation between Washington and Beijing. The visit was closely watched by regional partners concerned that closer U.S.-China engagement could diminish the strategic influence of allied nations seeking to balance China’s growing power.

The Quad, comprising the United States, India, Japan and Australia, has evolved into a key platform for cooperation on maritime security, critical technologies, supply chains and regional stability. The grouping is viewed by Beijing as an effort to counter China’s influence in the Indo-Pacific, a characterization its members reject.Rubio has sought to maintain momentum behind the alliance since taking office.

One of his first diplomatic initiatives was convening Quad foreign ministers in Washington shortly after his appointment, followed by another ministerial meeting in July 2025.Despite those efforts, uncertainty has lingered over the group’s future direction after a planned leaders’ summit in India failed to materialize last year.

The cancellation fueled concerns among some regional observers about Washington’s long-term commitment to institutionalizing the partnership.During his first official visit to India as secretary of state, Rubio said he hoped to lay the groundwork for a future summit involving Trump and the other Quad leaders. He emphasized the need for practical outcomes and concrete initiatives that leaders could announce when they eventually meet.

Among the priorities discussed was cooperation on critical minerals, an area that has gained strategic importance as governments seek to reduce dependence on Chinese-controlled supply chains for resources essential to advanced technologies, electric vehicles and defense systems.Rubio also highlighted maritime security as a central area for deeper collaboration.

Concerns about China’s expanding naval presence and territorial claims remain a shared issue for several Quad members, particularly Japan, which faces growing security challenges in nearby waters.The meeting unfolded against the backdrop of tensions in the Middle East following conflict involving Iran and disruptions affecting energy flows through the Strait of Hormuz.

Rising oil prices have created additional economic pressures for major importers such as India and Japan.Differences among U.S. partners over Washington’s policy toward Iran have complicated diplomatic coordination. While Australia expressed understanding of concerns regarding Iran’s nuclear program, neither Canberra, Tokyo nor New Delhi provided direct support for military action against Tehran.

Japan and India have historically maintained pragmatic relations with Iran and have previously balanced those ties against U.S. sanctions policies and broader strategic interests.Ahead of the Quad meeting, Motegi met Jaishankar in New Delhi and warned of a rapidly evolving global security environment shaped by shifting power balances and growing geopolitical competition.

Jaishankar, meanwhile, sought to ease concerns about U.S. engagement with the Quad, noting that Trump had supported the grouping during his first administration and remained invested in Indo-Pacific cooperation.The Quad was originally championed by late Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, who envisioned closer coordination among the four democracies in response to changing regional dynamics.

Under former U.S. President Joe Biden, the grouping broadened its agenda beyond security to include public health, infrastructure resilience, emerging technologies and supply-chain security.Tuesday’s meeting represented the latest attempt by member states to demonstrate continuity in the partnership as strategic competition in the Indo-Pacific intensifies and broader global conflicts test the cohesion of U.S.-led alliances.

Wong said the meetings were aimed at strengthening coordination with key regional partners as instability linked to the Iran conflict affects international energy supplies and shipping routes.

In Tokyo, Wong is scheduled to meet Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi for discussions on fuel security, regional stability and the Middle East conflict.

In Beijing, she will hold the eighth Australia-China Foreign and Strategic Dialogue with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, describing the talks as an opportunity to advance shared interests while managing strategic differences between Canberra and Beijing.

In Seoul, Wong will meet South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Hyun, noting that South Korea remains one of Australia’s most important suppliers of refined fuels.Australia imports the majority of its fuel requirements and has faced localized shortages since the Middle East conflict began in February, exposing vulnerabilities in supply chains and raising concerns over long-term energy resilience.

“These meetings will help ensure we are coordinating effectively,” Wong said in a statement, pointing to volatility in oil and gas markets caused by the conflict and disruptions to major shipping corridors.

The diplomatic push reflects Canberra’s effort to secure stable energy flows while balancing strategic relations across Asia, particularly with China, its largest trading partner, and close security partners Japan and South Korea.

Energy security has become a growing concern for Australia as tensions around the Strait of Hormuz and broader regional instability continue to affect fuel prices and shipping reliability across the Indo-Pacific.

The visit also comes as Australia seeks to strengthen regional cooperation on both economic security and broader geopolitical challenges linked to the Middle East war.

In a readout issued by Downing Street, a spokesperson said the two leaders discussed the failed negotiations held in Pakistan over the weekend and agreed it was “vital” to maintain the ceasefire while seeking a path forward through dialogue.

Starmer, who recently returned from meetings in the Middle East, also said international partners were working to restore safe navigation through the Strait of Hormuz, a key global energy transit route, and reaffirmed Britain’s commitment to Oman’s security.

UK Health Secretary Wes Streeting described the breakdown in talks as “disappointing,” while emphasizing that continued engagement remained necessary to achieve a sustainable end to the conflict.

Speaking to Sky News, he said diplomacy often requires persistence, adding that lack of immediate success did not diminish the value of ongoing negotiations.

Streeting also criticized comments made earlier by U.S. President Donald Trump during the crisis, calling them “extraordinary,” particularly remarks he said appeared to threaten Iranian civilization.

Separately, Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong called for the continuation of the Middle East ceasefire and a return to negotiations, stating that the outcome of the Islamabad talks was disappointing but underscoring the need for further diplomatic efforts.

The statements come after high-level U.S.-Iran talks ended without agreement, prolonging uncertainty over a conflict that has disrupted regional stability and global energy markets.

”Albanese’s comments came after Trump warned that “a whole civilization will die tonight” if Tehran failed to meet a U.S. deadline for a deal, language the Australian leader said would cause concern.

“I don’t think it’s appropriate to use language such as that from the president of the United States,” Albanese said, while adding that the ceasefire represented a positive step.

“What we have called for is a de-escalation, and that is what has occurred, and that’s a good thing.”Australia has been among countries urging restraint amid escalating tensions that have disrupted global energy markets and heightened economic uncertainty.

Foreign Minister Penny Wong also criticized Trump’s remarks in an interview with national broadcaster ABC, saying threats of widespread destruction were unacceptable.

“I don’t think anyone should be threatening the destruction of a civilization,” Wong said, adding that the ceasefire must hold given its implications for the global economy and energy supplies.

Wong also rejected Israeli assertions that the ceasefire does not extend to Lebanon, where ongoing strikes have caused significant casualties and displacement.

The statements reflect broader international concern over the tone and scope of rhetoric surrounding the conflict, even as diplomatic efforts seek to stabilize the region under the fragile truce.