New Delhi, May 25: Australia’s Foreign Minister Penny Wong is set to arrive in New Delhi on Monday to participate in the Quad Foreign Ministers’ meeting and engage in bilateral talks with Indian Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar. This visit comes amid increasing focus on regional security and cooperation in the Indo-Pacific region.
In an official media release prior to her trip, Wong described the Quad as “a vital partnership” in light of rising global uncertainties. She stated, “Today, I will be traveling to India to attend the Quad Foreign Ministers’ meeting and the Australia-India Foreign Ministers’ Framework Dialogue.”
Highlighting the group’s strategic importance, Wong emphasized, “In these uncertain times, the Quad is a crucial partnership. The four nations are working together to shape a peaceful, stable, and prosperous future for the Indo-Pacific region.”
The Quad consists of Australia, India, Japan, and the United States. The group focuses on enhancing cooperation in key areas such as maritime security, resilient supply chains, critical minerals, infrastructure development, disaster relief, and emerging technologies.
Wong noted that these four countries are delivering tangible results on shared interests like maritime security, critical minerals supply, infrastructure development, and disaster relief.
During her visit, Wong will also participate in the 17th Australia-India Foreign Ministers’ Framework Dialogue with Minister Jaishankar. She underscored the growing significance of bilateral relations, stating, “The partnership between Australia and India has never been more important.”
She further mentioned that as comprehensive strategic partners, both nations are deepening cooperation in trade and investment, defense and maritime security, climate and energy transition, strategic technology, education, and skill development.
Wong affirmed, “The Albanese government will continue to strengthen Australia’s relationships and work more actively within new and existing alliances like the Quad, as the world becomes increasingly unstable and we build Australia’s future.”
At the invitation of Minister Jaishankar, Wong, along with Japan’s Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi and U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, will attend the Quad Foreign Ministers’ meeting on May 26.
According to the Ministry of External Affairs, this visit reflects ongoing high-level dialogue among Quad partners and reinforces their shared vision for a free, open, and inclusive Indo-Pacific region.
The official statement noted, “In line with the Quad’s vision for a free and open Indo-Pacific, the ministers will advance discussions from the meeting held in Washington, D.C., on July 1, 2025. They will focus on enhancing cooperation in priority areas, reviewing the progress of ongoing Quad initiatives, and discussing recent developments in the Indo-Pacific region and other international issues.”
The meeting is expected to cover key areas of cooperation such as maritime security, resilient supply chains, infrastructure development, critical and emerging technologies, climate action, and humanitarian assistance and disaster relief. Additionally, ongoing Quad initiatives aimed at strengthening regional stability and economic development will be reviewed.
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