Foreign ministers from the United States, India, Japan, and Australia met in Atlanta on Saturday to advance supply chain resilience, establish a Super Intelligence accelerator, and address maritime security amid West Asian conflicts, paving the way for a leaders’ summit in Manila next month.
External Affairs Minister Dr S. Jaishankar joined his counterparts on October 31, 2026, for the third foreign ministers’ meeting of the four-country grouping this year. Hosted by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on the margins of a Group of 20 gathering, the talks focused on translating shared priorities into practical delivery for the Indo-Pacific region.
Ministers Pledge $85 Million to Expand Super Intelligence Access
The ministers announced plans to provide more than $85 million in technical and financial assistance. This money will expand access to trusted Super Intelligence across the Indo-Pacific through the Quad SI Accelerator. The grouping also addressed vulnerabilities in critical industries by targeting non-market policies and arbitrary export restrictions.
FM MOTEGI held the Japan-Australia-India-U.S. (Quad) Foreign Ministers’ Meeting during his visit to Atlanta, the U.S. FM MOTEGI welcomed the convening of the Foreign Ministers’ Meeting for the third time this year, following the meetings in May and July. He stated that this… pic.twitter.com/WA6UyKsABY
They expressed grave concerns regarding economic coercion, including through arbitrary export restrictions, as well as non-market policies and practices that result in overcapacity to disrupt global supply chains in critical industries.
Quad Joint Press Release on Economic Prosperity and Security, via Reuters
The joint statement did not name Beijing explicitly. US officials noted that the behavior was coming repetitively from one country. The United States committed $10 million to support facilities in India for recovering critical minerals from electronic waste.
Saturday’s session in Atlanta represented the third time Quad top diplomats convened in 2026. The foreign ministers of the four nations included Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong, Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi, and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
At the closing @G20org Foreign Ministers’ Meeting, I made clear to our partners that secure supply chains are essential for growth. Critical trade routes including the Strait of Hormuz and Bab al-Mandeb Strait must remain secure and open to commerce. And we must continue to… pic.twitter.com/8vhPGnG4NO
Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal announced in New Delhi on Wednesday that the External Affairs Minister would attend the G20 Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in Atlanta from October 30 to 31, 2026.
Preparations were already underway for a Quad Leaders’ Summit to be organized by US President Donald Trump alongside the mid-November ASEAN and East Asian Summits.
Previous ministerial talks were held in New Delhi in May and in Manila in July.
The four nations anticipated conducting their inaugural drills under the Indo-Pacific Maritime Surveillance Collaboration project during Sea Dragon 2027.
'Took stock of bilateral cooperation': Jaishankar meets US Secy of State Rubio on sidelines of G20Jaishankar appreciated the hospitality of the US Secretary of State and said the meeting led to taking stock of the bilateral cooperation between India and the US.Read More:…
Protecting Shipping Lanes Against West Asian Risks
Maritime security dominated discussions as ministers addressed disruptions affecting vital commercial corridors.
Day earlier at the G20 plenary, Jaishankar warned that nations of the Global South bore disproportionate consequences from attacks on civilian shipping and seafarers, which threaten essential commodities like food, fuel, and fertilizers.
Pleased to participate in the 1st Plenary of @g20org Foreign Ministers’ Meeting #Atlanta today. Emphasised that in the face of global challenges, military solutions will not work and diplomacy must be given a chance. Also highlighted that: ➡️ Global South is… pic.twitter.com/v63BPELQl9
The Global South is disproportionately bearing the consequences of attacks on civilian shipping and seafarers, jeopardising the availability and cost of fuel, food and fertilisers.
Dr S. Jaishankar, External Affairs Minister, via Devdiscourse
The Quad joint statement asserted the absolute necessity to protect and preserve navigational rights in the Strait of Hormuz, the Red Sea, and the Bab el-Mandeb Strait under United Nations conventions. It opposed the imposition of tolls on crews and commercial vessels.
Managing Bilateral Strains on the G20 Sidelines
Bilateral trade discussions between New Delhi and Washington faced headwinds.
Jaishankar and Rubio held bilateral interactions during the summit. Sources indicated that a quick announcement on an interim India-US trade pact remained unlikely.
Washington sought a deal allowing greater access for American agricultural and industrial goods. New Delhi balked at terms exposing domestic producers without commensurate export benefits, particularly following revisions to the American tariff framework.
Setting the Agenda for Manila
Saturday’s gathering successfully laid groundwork for leadership-level engagement after a hiatus following the September 2024 summit hosted in Wilmington, Delaware.
Rubio announced that the next high-level meeting would take place in Manila next month on the margins of ASEAN meetings.
…We’ll be announcing very soon, if we haven’t already, that we’ll be holding a Quad Leaders’ Meeting in Manila next month…
Marco Rubio, US Secretary of State, via Hindustan Times