External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar is scheduled to visit Manila, Philippines, on July 22-23 for the Quad Foreign Ministers’ Meeting, which operates within the ASEAN framework, encompassing ASEAN-India relations, the East Asia Summit (EAS), and the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF).
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) emphasized that this visit highlights India’s growing involvement with ASEAN as part of its Act East Policy. It also reaffirms India’s commitment to enhancing the ASEAN-India Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. Notably, 2026 has been announced as the ASEAN-India Year of Maritime Cooperation.
During his time in Manila, Jaishankar will engage in the Quad Foreign Ministers’ meeting alongside officials from Australia, Japan, and the United States. He is also anticipated to conduct bilateral discussions with counterparts from various participating nations on the sidelines of these ASEAN meetings.
In a previous meeting held in May, the Quad Foreign Ministers initiated the Indo-Pacific Maritime Surveillance Corporation, which aims to improve maritime domain awareness and develop port infrastructure in Fiji. Additionally, they agreed to implement the Indo-Pacific Energy Security initiative, aimed at bolstering regional energy resilience, and decided to enhance collaboration under the Quad Critical Minerals Initiative to fortify supply chains.
The upcoming meeting in Manila will include the Foreign Ministers from India, the US, Australia, and Japan. However, there is some uncertainty regarding the Quad leaders’ summit scheduled for later this year in Delhi, given the complexities of US-China relations and the somewhat strained ties between India and the US.
At the previous Quad Foreign Ministers’ meeting in Delhi, the joint statement did not clarify whether this year’s leaders’ summit would be hosted in Delhi or another location. The meeting was initially intended to take place in Australia, but it was ultimately held in Delhi. Officials described the Quad as a “nimble” coalition, noting that the Foreign Ministers would determine the venue for the leaders’ summit.
“We anticipate the convening of the Quad Leaders’ Summit, the next Quad Foreign Ministers’ Meeting, and ongoing engagements that promote peace, stability, and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region and beyond,” the joint statement expressed.
In 2026, the Philippines will take on the ASEAN Chairmanship under the theme “Navigating Our Future, Together,” which aims to enhance regional peace and security, economic integration, digital transformation, inclusive growth, and empowerment of citizens. This theme is particularly relevant as ASEAN seeks to bolster resilience amid global uncertainties while fostering cooperation among member states and external partners, including India.
Shubhajit Roy, the Diplomatic Editor at The Indian Express, brings over 25 years of journalistic experience to his role. Since joining The Indian Express in October 2003, he has focused on foreign affairs for more than 17 years. Based in Delhi, he has also managed the National government and political bureau at the newspaper. Roy has received prestigious accolades, including the Ramnath Goenka Journalism Award for Excellence in Journalism in 2016 for his coverage of the Holey Bakery attack in Dhaka, as well as the IIMCAA Award for Journalist of the Year, 2022, with a special mention for his reporting on the fall of Kabul in August 2021, where he was among the few Indian journalists present during the Taliban’s takeover.
