India Reaffirms Quad as Key Platform for Indo-Pacific Cooperation
New Delhi, November 7 (TheTrendingPeople.com): India on Friday reaffirmed that the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (Quad) remains a critical platform for dialogue and collaboration among its four member nations — India, the United States, Japan, and Australia — on issues shaping the Indo-Pacific region.
Addressing a weekly media briefing in New Delhi, Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said that the Quad continues to make “steady progress” as an effective mechanism for regional cooperation and shared prosperity.
“We see the Quad as a valuable platform for discussions among the four partners on issues of importance and interest to them in the Indo-Pacific region. The Quad is making steady progress,” said Jaiswal.
He cited the recently concluded Quad Ports of the Future Conference as an example of the growing cooperation among the member countries, highlighting its success in advancing discussions on resilient and secure maritime infrastructure.
India Hosts First Quad Ports of the Future Conference
Last month, India hosted the inaugural Quad Ports of the Future Conference in Mumbai as part of India Maritime Week, held from October 29 to 30, 2025.
The event saw participation from 120 delegates representing 24 Indo-Pacific nations, including officials, industry leaders, and maritime experts from the four Quad countries.
The discussions focused on building a shared vision for future-ready ports that are resilient, secure, and sustainable.
According to the MEA, the two-day event featured thematic panel discussions on key areas such as:
- Modern infrastructure and financing frameworks
- Regulatory and workforce development
- Digital innovation and cybersecurity
- Maritime sustainability and green technologies
“India hosted the 1st Quad Ports of the Future Conference with participation of 120 delegates from 24 Indo-Pacific partners,” Jaiswal posted on X (formerly Twitter).
“The sessions centred on advancing a shared Quad vision for resilient, secure, and future-ready ports — strengthening collaboration on infrastructure, financing, regulatory frameworks, workforce development, technology, digital ecosystems, cybersecurity, and sustainability.”
Strengthening Maritime Connectivity Across the Indo-Pacific
A statement released by the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways described the Quad Ports of the Future initiative as a major collaborative effort to strengthen maritime connectivity and logistics resilience in the Indo-Pacific.
“This initiative seeks to harness the Quad’s collective expertise to coordinate, exchange information, share best practices, and mobilise both government and private sector investments in quality port infrastructure,” the ministry said.
It added that the partnership aims to bolster maritime connectivity, promote sustainable logistics, and enhance the region’s resilience against disruptions — particularly in the face of global supply chain challenges.
By leveraging their combined technical and financial capacities, the Quad nations seek to establish modern, efficient, and secure ports that will serve as anchors for trade and stability across the region.
Background: Quad’s Expanding Agenda
Formed in 2007 and revitalized in 2017, the Quad alliance has evolved from a strategic dialogue into a comprehensive framework for cooperation. The grouping’s agenda now spans maritime security, infrastructure development, emerging technologies, climate action, and public health.
The Quad Leaders’ Summit, first held in 2021, has since become a cornerstone of high-level engagement between the four nations. Leaders have repeatedly emphasized the alliance’s commitment to ensuring a free, open, inclusive, and resilient Indo-Pacific.
India’s hosting of the Ports of the Future Conference aligns with the Quad’s broader goal of strengthening regional infrastructure connectivity while promoting rules-based maritime governance.
The next Quad Leaders’ Summit, which India is set to host, will likely build on the outcomes of the Mumbai conference and other sectoral initiatives. The dates for the summit have yet to be formally announced.
The Indo-Pacific Context: A Strategic Priority
The Indo-Pacific region, home to more than half the world’s population and two-thirds of global trade, has become the epicentre of strategic competition and cooperation.
For India, the region represents not only a geopolitical priority but also an economic and developmental opportunity. Through the Quad, India seeks to ensure an equitable maritime order, counter coercive practices, and promote sustainable development in littoral states.
The collaboration through initiatives like the Ports of the Future underscores the Quad’s proactive approach in ensuring that critical infrastructure remains transparent, secure, and inclusive.
Experts say that the focus on port modernization and maritime resilience comes at a time when global trade disruptions — from pandemics to geopolitical tensions — have exposed vulnerabilities in supply chains.
“By advancing port cooperation, the Quad is addressing both economic and strategic imperatives,” said a senior official in India’s maritime ministry. “The Indo-Pacific’s stability depends on strong, connected, and transparent infrastructure.”
Why It Matters: A Move Toward Strategic Self-Reliance
The Quad’s growing emphasis on infrastructure and technology cooperation reflects a shift toward strategic self-reliance in the Indo-Pacific — reducing dependence on any single power and ensuring open access to maritime routes.
India’s leadership role in organizing the Ports of the Future initiative demonstrates New Delhi’s increasing influence in shaping the regional narrative around connectivity and sustainability.
The initiative also complements India’s Sagarmala and Maritime Vision 2030 programs, aimed at upgrading the nation’s ports and integrating them with global supply chains.
By hosting the first-of-its-kind conference, India has positioned itself as both a regional facilitator and a responsible stakeholder, advancing the Quad’s shared vision of an Indo-Pacific that is prosperous, resilient, and inclusive.
Final Thoughts from TheTrendingPeople.com
India’s reaffirmation of its commitment to the Quad partnership highlights the nation’s growing role as a strategic anchor in the Indo-Pacific.
Through initiatives like the Quad Ports of the Future Conference, New Delhi is not only strengthening regional cooperation but also contributing to the creation of a transparent, sustainable, and secure maritime ecosystem.
As India prepares to host the next Quad Leaders’ Summit, the focus will remain on translating these dialogues into tangible outcomes that benefit the wider Indo-Pacific community.
The Quad’s progress is more than diplomatic symbolism — it’s a statement of shared intent to safeguard the Indo-Pacific’s future through unity, resilience, and innovation.