Critical minerals and Indo-Pacific security took centre stage amid doubts over US commitment and a delayed leaders’ summit
The Quad, comprising the United States, Japan, Australia and India, aims to promote a “free and open” Indo-Pacific and balance China’s expanding influence in the strategically vital region.
“The foreign ministers wrapped up their meeting in just over an hour without announcing a summit,” Brahma Chellaney, an Indian international affairs expert, said on social media, observing that “without the political weight of a leaders’ summit, the Quad risks losing its strategic coherence and punch.”
Seeking to dispel doubts about the alliance’s momentum, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio touted strong American backing at a joint press conference.
Source: News - South China Morning Post
