The impact is particularly sharp in oil, gas, and petrochemical products as well as essential goods and critical downstream derivatives such as fertilisers, the group said in a joint statement released shortly after their meeting on Tuesday, May 26.
Key announcementsThe four nations also announced a Quad Fuel Security Forum to coordinate high-level energy discussions, and committed to a Quad Initiative on Indo-Pacific Energy Security covering technology, policy, market analysis, and emergency response.
On critical minerals, the Quad partners announced plans to mobilise up to $20 billion in government and private sector support for mining, processing, and recycling supply chains. The Quad Critical Minerals Initiative will use coordinated investment and economic policy tools to diversify mineral markets, reduce supply chain gaps, and address non-market practices and unfair trade.
They also affirmed the need to strengthen supply chain resilience, diversify critical mineral sourcing, and uphold freedom of navigation.
The group specifically called out the Strait of Hormuz, affirming the need for unimpeded passage and opposing any measures that restrict the flow of commercial vessels through key maritime routes.A day ahead of the meeting, Chinese state-run newspaper China Daily said the Quad was “struggling to find its voice”, arguing that the Indo-Pacific was already “open and free”.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said cooperation among the four countries had become “more important because of recent events”, with the grouping working to further “operationalise” its relationship.
Rubio said areas such as humanitarian response, energy security, freedom of navigation and diversifying supply chains for critical minerals were key priorities where the four nations could collectively contribute solutions.
India’s External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said the ministers would discuss shared activities while addressing emerging “challenges and opportunities” in the Indo-Pacific.
“At the global level, we have to address issues like supply chain resilience, connectivity choke points, manufacturing concentration and gaps in critical infrastructure,” Jaishankar said in his opening remarks. “Each one of them offers new arguments for more partnerships.”
He added that the Quad had discussed maritime security and critical technologies over the past few months and shared a responsibility towards a “free and open Pacific”. “The region must remain a driver of global growth and stability,” he said.
The Quad, or Quadrilateral Security Dialogue, was founded in 2007 and focuses on promoting a free, open and inclusive Indo-Pacific region. The grouping has expanded cooperation in areas including maritime security, infrastructure, emerging technologies and supply chains amid growing strategic competition in the region.
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(Edited by : Tenzin Norzom)
First Published: May 26, 2026 10:38 AM IS
