The United States, Australia, India, and Japan renewed their commitment to collaborating on Tuesday following the first meeting of the Quad grouping's top diplomats since President Donald Trump returned to the White House.

In a joint statement issued after the talks in Washington, which U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio hosted on his first day in office, the foreign ministers of the Quad reaffirmed their shared commitment to ensuring a free and open Indo-Pacific where "sovereignty and territorial integrity are upheld and defended."

Rubio, along with his Quad counterparts, India’s External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, Japan’s Defense Minister Takeshi Iwaya, and Australia’s Foreign Minister Penny Wong, stated that officials would meet regularly to prepare for a forthcoming leaders’ summit in India, which is expected to take place later this year. The Quad countries vehemently opposed “any unilateral actions aimed at altering the status quo through force or coercion.”

“We, the Secretary of State of the United States and the Foreign Ministers of Australia, India, and Japan, met today in Washington DC to reaffirm our shared commitment to strengthening a Free and Open Indo-Pacific where the rule of law, democratic values, sovereignty, and territorial integrity are upheld and defended,” the joint statement conveyed.

The leaders highlighted the significance of international law, economic opportunities, peace, stability, and security, especially in the maritime domain, as vital pillars for the growth and prosperity of the Indo-Pacific region. Furthermore, the Quad countries pledged to strengthen regional maritime, economic, and technological security in response to increasing threats while supporting the development of resilient and dependable supply chains.

“We look forward to advancing the work of the Quad in the coming months and will continue to meet regularly as we prepare for the next Quad Leaders’ Summit hosted by India,” the statement stated.

Earlier, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar posted on X, emphasising the productive nature of the Quad Foreign Ministers' Meeting in Washington. He thanked Secretary Rubio for hosting the event and appreciated the contributions of Australia’s Penny Wong and Japan’s Takeshi Iwaya.

“Attended a productive Quad Foreign Ministers’ Meeting today in Washington DC. Thank @secrubio for hosting us and FMs @SenatorWong & Takeshi Iwaya for their participation. Significant that the Quad FMM took place within hours of the inauguration of the Trump Administration,” Jaishankar posted.

Jaishankar highlighted the necessity for more in-depth cooperation, saying, “Agreed on the importance of thinking bigger, deepening the agenda and intensifying our collaboration. The meeting today sends a clear message that in an uncertain and volatile world, the Quad will continue to be a force for global good.”

The Quad is a diplomatic alliance between India, Australia, Japan and the United States, dedicated to promoting an open, stable and prospering Indo-Pacific that is inclusive and strong.