Quad ministers back maritime security, diplomatic fix for Hormuz

The top diplomats of the United States, India, Japan and Australia convened in New Delhi on Tuesday for the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue, emphasizing maritime security and calling for a diplomatic resolution to reopen the Strait of Hormuz amid the ongoing conflict between Washington and Tehran.

Quad convenes in New Delhi

India’s External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar hosted US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong and Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi for the talks, which Jaishankar described as “substantive and productive.” Speaking at a joint news conference, he said the Indo-Pacific would become “more important” to the world in coming years and that the responsibilities of the four-nation partnership would grow commensurately.

“Economic resilience should be promoted, that supply chain should be strengthened, trusted and secure technologies diffused and production capacities enhanced,” Jaishankar said. He added that the ministers spent considerable time discussing safe and unimpeded maritime commerce and reaffirmed the significance of scrupulously observing international law.

Opposition to tolling

Wong told reporters that the Quad recognizes its obligation to provide “real choices” as strategic circumstances in the region deteriorate amid “acute economic stress.” “We recognize the importance of maintaining the principle of freedom of navigation and our opposition to any tolling proposition,” she said, noting that economic volatility is increasing due to the closure of the Strait of Hormuz.

The Australian foreign minister added that the ministers recognize efforts by Rubio toward a diplomatic resolution to ensure freedom of navigation is restored and crucial energy supply flows resume.

Diplomatic efforts

Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi said the group discussed the impact of tensions involving Iran on Indo-Pacific energy security and confirmed the importance of diplomatic efforts to ensure free and safe navigation through the strategic waterway. The ministers also voiced support for initiatives aimed at strengthening critical mineral supply chains and energy cooperation to boost regional resilience across the Indo-Pacific and the Middle East, Motegi noted.

The Quad partnership among the US, Australia, India and Japan was formed in 2007 and has increasingly focused on maritime security challenges in the Indo-Pacific region.