The future of the QUAD amid global geopolitical shifts

The Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (QUAD) foreign ministers convened in New Delhi on May 26, 2026, for their 11th meeting. This gathering occurred amidst significant global geopolitical flux, yet analysts expressed doubts about the group's future. Concerns stem from the United States' focus on Iran and a perceived lack of coordination among members regarding the wars in Iran and Ukraine. The absence of any mention of Israel's role in the joint statement further highlighted internal differences. The QUAD summit originally scheduled for 2024, which would have included heads of government, has yet to materialize, underscoring these divergences.

While the U.S. once prioritized the QUAD as a strategy to contain China, not all member nations share this perspective. Other QUAD members are more concerned that China's geopolitical ambitions could threaten their own interests. China's Foreign Ministry reacted to the New Delhi meeting, opposing the formation of "exclusive ‘small cliques.'" This meeting followed U.S. President Donald Trump's visit to China, where disagreements arose over easing restrictions on Chinese exports of critical minerals.

Despite these challenges, the New Delhi meeting saw the launch of the Indo-Pacific Maritime Surveillance Cooperation Initiative. A key component of this initiative is the plan to bolster port infrastructure in Pacific Island nations, with Fiji slated to receive the first project. This effort aims to enhance the QUAD countries' presence in the Indo-Pacific by fostering cooperation with smaller island states. The QUAD's overarching vision of a Free and Open Indo-Pacific remains a central driver for the group's activities. All member nations are prioritizing supply chain resilience, recognizing the economic impact of disruptions, as evidenced by the global energy supply issues caused by the war in Iran.

Discussions also addressed the East and South China Seas and the crisis in the Strait of Hormuz. India, maintaining strong ties with QUAD members, has seen its security and defense cooperation deepen over time, enabling it to confront emerging maritime challenges. The member countries agreed to expand the Indo-Pacific Partnership for Maritime Domain Awareness (IPMDA) initiative by integrating the Information Fusion Centre for the Indian Ocean Region in Gurugram. India is set to host the second QUAD-at-Sea Ship Observer Mission, initiated in 2025, which will enhance maritime law enforcement and interoperability among the QUAD nations' Coast Guards.

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it opposes the creation of exclusive ‘small cliques’