External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar expressed confidence that US President-elect Donald Trump will continue supporting the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (Quad), an important strategic alliance between India, Australia, Japan, and the United States. Speaking at the India-Japan Forum, Jaishankar highlighted the pivotal role Trump’s administration played in the revitalization of the Quad and reiterated that the grouping would only strengthen in the years ahead.
Jaishankar emphasized that the Quad has grown into one of the most expansive mechanisms for inter-governmental coordination, bringing together countries with shared interests, particularly in addressing security challenges in the Indo-Pacific region. "The Quad was revived in 2017, during Trump's first term as president, and much of its success can be attributed to his leadership. It moved from the vice minister's level to the foreign minister's level under his administration, and we expect this support to continue," Jaishankar stated.
The Quad, which was initially conceived as a strategic alliance to ensure stability in the Indo-Pacific region, has since evolved into a robust partnership aimed at addressing various geopolitical and economic challenges. "It’s a model where everybody plays their fair share, and these arguments of burden-sharing don’t really apply here," Jaishankar noted.
As part of this growing alliance, India is set to host the next Quad Summit in 2025. Jaishankar acknowledged that the grouping's diverse membership has sometimes led to differences, with each country having its unique concerns. However, he was optimistic about the ongoing cooperation among the four nations. "In the past, people have pointed fingers at each country, saying it’s the weak link. We’ve all had our own challenges, but the Quad has consistently moved forward," he remarked.
