Quad Stays True to Its Four-Member Core, Embraces Wider Collaboration

The Ministry of External Affairs has clarified that the Quad alliance will maintain its current structure as a grouping of four nations, but remains receptive to collaborating with other partners in areas of mutual interest. This was stated by MEA Additional Secretary Nagaraj Naidu amid questions about potential expansion following the recent Quad Foreign Ministers' Meeting in New Delhi.

Naidu emphasized that, although the Quad is not expanding its membership, it is keen on exploring partnerships for specific cooperative ventures across the Indo-Pacific region. His comments were made during a special briefing, reinforcing the Quad's commitment to its nimble and adaptable organizational model.

The meeting, chaired by India's External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and attended by counterparts from Australia, Japan, and the United States, resulted in the adoption of several key documents, including a joint statement on Indo-Pacific Energy Security and the Quad Critical Minerals Initiative framework.

(With inputs from agencies.)