Quad energy security and critical minerals frameworks set out Indo-Pacific maritime measures

The Quad on Tuesday announced new steps on energy security, critical minerals, port upgrades and maritime surveillance. The moves aimed to reduce supply chain shocks across the Indo-Pacific. The announcements followed the Quad foreign ministers’ meeting in New Delhi. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar chaired the talks with Marco Rubio, Penny Wong, and Toshimitsu Motegi.

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In a joint statement, the ministers flagged risks to regional stability in key sea lanes. The Quad raised concerns about the East China Sea and South China Sea. The grouping also backed free navigation and lawful conduct at sea. "We reaffirm our commitment to defending the rule of law, sovereignty, and territorial integrity.\"

Quad maritime surveillance and port infrastructure plans

The Quad said it will strengthen maritime monitoring, with a focus on the Indian Ocean region. US Secretary of State Rubio said the group agreed to start an Indo-Pacific Maritime Surveillance Cooperation Initiative. \"It will leverage each of our countrys maritime surveillance capabilities in the Indo-Pacific,\" Rubio said. Rubio also said the Indo-Pacific Maritime Domain Awareness Initiative will expand.

Rubio linked the effort to trade flows through the region. \"The reason why maritime security is so important, beyond the fact that current events remind us of what can happen when maritime security is impeded, is the fact that 60 per cent of global maritime trade passes through the Indo-Pacific,\" Rubio said. Rubio added it matters to many countries beyond the Quad.

The Quad also said it will improve port capacity in Pacific Island states. Rubio said a new plan will address limits in port infrastructure. \"The second initiative: were going to be partnering on issues of port infrastructure, in response to insufficient port capacities in the Pacific Islands,\" Rubio said. \"Were announcing plans to work with Fiji to advance that countrys port infrastructure.\"

Rubio said Fiji will host the first joint port project by Quad partners. \"Itll be the first time that the Quad partners work together on a port infrastructure project,\" Rubio said. Penny Wong also cited a wider push to the Pacific. \"We are also today announcing the strongest ever commitment from the Quad to the Pacific through the Quad Ports of the Future Partnership, where we are launching a pilot for port infrastructure in Fiji,\" Wong said.

Quad energy security and Strait of Hormuz shipping concerns

The ministers called for global trade to move without disruption through the Strait of Hormuz. They also criticised tolls on commercial shipping there. The Quad sought a peaceful end to the West Asia crisis. Wong referred to a diplomatic route and free passage. \"We recognise the importance of maintaining the principle of freedom of navigation and our opposition to any tolling proposition,\" Wong said.

Under an Indo-Pacific energy security framework, the Quad said it will address supply interruptions. Plans included strategic fuel reserves, targeted policy steps, and joint emergency response systems. The initiative came amid worries about a blockade of the Strait of Hormuz. Around a fifth of global oil and LNG usually passes through the strait.

Quad critical minerals framework and supply chain risks

The Quad also announced a critical minerals cooperation framework. The grouping pledged up to USD 20 billion in public and private capital. The aim was to strengthen supply chains for key industrial sectors. The Quad also raised concerns about economic pressure. The statement referred to export controls without naming any country.

\"We reiterate our grave concerns over the use of economic coercion and non-market policies and practices,including arbitrary export restrictions, price manipulation and disruptions particularly on critical minerals that impact global supply chains and critical industrial sectors,\" the joint statement said. It also backed varied sourcing. \"We underscore the importance of diversified and reliable global supply chains and the need to avoid reliance on any one country,\" it said.

Critical minerals are used in electric vehicles, drones, and battery storage systems. China accounts for around 70 per cent of global rare earth mining. The Quad’s new framework was widely seen as a response to risks from concentrated supply. The grouping also voiced serious concerns over actions affecting offshore resource development.

Quad statements on China Sea tensions and terrorism

On the East China Sea and South China Sea, the ministers cited \"dangerous and coercive actions\". They referred to interference with offshore resource projects. They also flagged risky manoeuvres by military aircraft and vessels. The Quad said such conduct threatens peace and stability. Most steps, except energy security, were viewed as countering China’s footprint.

The Quad also condemned terrorism in all forms, including cross-border terrorism. The ministers cited the Pahalgam terror attack and the Bondi Beach strike in Australia. \"We call for decisive and sustained international efforts to combat terrorism in accordance with international law, including action against globally proscribed terrorists and terror entities and their proxies, affiliates, sponsors and financiers,\" the joint statement added.

Jaishankar said the meeting reviewed progress on several parts of a free and open Indo-Pacific. \"Our meeting today took stock of the progress in many of them, while encouraging exploration in others,\" Jaishankar said. Jaishankar also linked the region to future trade and energy routes. \"The responsibilities of the Quad will grow commensurately, and we must prepare for that,\" Jaishankar said.

There was still no clarity on the next Quad summit, even as India is the current chair. A senior diplomat from one Quad nation said no decision has been taken. At a media briefing, Additional Secretary Americas Nagaraj Naidu said the Quad is action-oriented. Nagaraj Naidu also said cooperation under the platform is going to expand.

With inputs from PTI