In a significant diplomatic move, the foreign ministers of the Quad grouping—comprising the United States, Australia, India, and Japan—gathered in Washington on the inaugural day of U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio's tenure. The meeting underscored the commitment of these four nations to collaborate on mutual concerns, particularly the strategic challenges posed by China's growing influence in the Indo-Pacific region. The ministers issued a joint statement reaffirming their united stance against any unilateral actions intended to alter the status quo through force or coercion.
Australia aimed to secure promises from Washington regarding the AUKUS defense project. This ambitious initiative would allow Australia to acquire nuclear-powered attack submarines and other cutting-edge armaments. In parallel, Japan is embarking on its most substantial military expansion since World War Two, with a strategic plan to double defense spending by 2027. The return of President Donald Trump has sparked speculation that Washington could intensify pressure on its allies to increase their defense budgets further.
The Quad has met multiple times under former President Joe Biden, with a consistent focus on Beijing's military and economic activities in the Indo-Pacific. Shared apprehensions about China's rising power continue to unite these nations in their efforts to counterbalance Beijing's influence. China, however, has criticized the Quad as a remnant of Cold War dynamics and warned that the AUKUS alliance could exacerbate a regional arms race.
Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, commenting on the timing of the meeting, noted:
"Significant that the Quad (foreign ministers' meeting) took place within hours of the inauguration of the Trump Administration."
He further emphasized the importance of this gathering by stating:
"This underlines the priority it has in the foreign policy of its member states."
During a separate bilateral session, Japanese Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya addressed Rubio and Trump's national security adviser, Mike Waltz, expressing Japan's necessity to bolster its defense capabilities continually. Iwaya also requested that Rubio foster an environment conducive to Japanese business investments without facing undue apprehensions.
Additionally, Japan is keen on organizing a face-to-face meeting between President Trump and Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, potentially in February or March. The four nations agreed to convene regularly as they prepare for a forthcoming leaders' summit in India set for later this year.
The meeting also delved into discussions about critical minerals, an industry where the U.S. and China are vying for control over supply chains. This issue remains a strategic focal point for the Quad nations as they seek to reduce dependency on China and bolster their own industrial capabilities.
Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong expressed optimism about the early engagement with the new administration:
"There's a great deal of optimism and confidence about the opportunities ahead, and I am really privileged to have had this level of engagement so early in the new administration."
Marco Rubio highlighted the importance of addressing core concerns:
"on the things that are important to America and Americans."
The joint statement released by the Quad underlined their collective resistance to any attempts at altering regional equilibriums through coercive measures:
"We also strongly oppose any unilateral actions that seek to change the status quo by force or coercion."
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