External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar emphasized the pivotal role played by former US President Donald Trump’s administration in upgrading the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (Quad) and expressed confidence that the US will continue to support the grouping. Speaking at the India-Japan Forum on Friday, Jaishankar highlighted the significance of the Quad as a mechanism for intergovernmental coordination and its robust evolution over the years.
The Quad, comprising India, Australia, Japan, and the US, was revived in 2017 during Trump’s first term. Jaishankar credited Trump for fostering the grouping’s development. “In 2017, it started at the vice minister’s level, and by 2019, it elevated to the foreign minister’s level—both under the Trump administration,” Jaishankar stated. He noted that this progression reflects the Quad’s importance in addressing regional and global challenges.
Jaishankar dismissed concerns about the Quad being affected by Trump’s earlier stance on burden-sharing in alliances. “Those arguments don’t apply to the Quad at all because it’s a grouping where ‘everybody pays their fair share,’” he remarked, underscoring the cooperative nature of the alliance.
The minister also noted the growing significance of the Quad as a platform for collaboration, describing it as one of the most expansive mechanisms for international coordination. “There is every reason for us to expect that the US will continue to build on its success with the Quad,” he added.
The remarks come amidst ongoing discussions about the Quad’s role in maintaining a free and open Indo-Pacific, with all member countries reinforcing their commitment to shared values and regional stability. Jaishankar’s comments underscore India’s confidence in the grouping’s future trajectory and its potential to address strategic and security challenges.