The foreign ministers of Australia, India, Japan and the United States have announced a joint plan to develop a port in Fiji and unveiled new agreements on critical minerals and energy security, as the four-nation Quad grouping attempts to strengthen its strategic relevance in the Indo-Pacific region.
Meeting in New Delhi on Tuesday, the ministers — including U.S. Secretary of State , Indian External Affairs Minister , Australian Foreign Minister and Japanese Foreign Minister — said the new initiatives would address infrastructure shortages, supply chain vulnerabilities and regional security concerns.
The Fiji port project marks the Quad’s first joint infrastructure initiative in the Pacific Islands, a region increasingly viewed as strategically important amid intensifying competition between China and Western allies.
“We are going to be partnering on issues of port infrastructure, particularly in response to insufficient port capacity in the Pacific Islands,” Rubio said following the meeting.
The ministers also launched an Indo-Pacific Energy Security initiative and agreed on a framework to strengthen cooperation on critical minerals, including mining, processing and recycling supply chains.
The move comes as Japan and other countries seek to reduce dependence on Chinese-controlled rare earth and mineral supplies after Beijing recently suspended exports of some critical materials used in aerospace, defence and semiconductor industries.
The Quad, formed by Australia, India, Japan and the United States, has increasingly focused on maintaining what members describe as a “free and open Indo-Pacific” amid growing concerns over China’s military and economic expansion.
In a joint statement, the four countries expressed concern over developments in the East China Sea and South China Sea, including the militarisation of disputed territories. They also condemned attacks on commercial shipping in the Middle East and stressed the importance of uninterrupted trade through the Strait of Hormuz and the Red Sea.
China criticised the meeting, warning against the formation of exclusive blocs and saying regional cooperation should not target third parties.
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson said cooperation between countries should contribute to regional peace and stability rather than undermine trust among regional nations.
Despite the new agreements, questions remain over the Quad’s long-term momentum after the group failed to hold a leaders’ summit last year amid tensions between U.S. President and Indian Prime Minister on trade and diplomatic issues.
Analysts say the absence of regular summit-level engagement has raised doubts about the grouping’s political significance, although ongoing ministerial and working-level cooperation continues to produce tangible outcomes.
