Australia, India, Japan, US announce Fiji port project

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio says initiative will serve as a “practical demonstration” of Quad’s ability to deliver resilient infrastructure, particularly in response to insufficient port capacity in region

NEW DEHLI: (UrduPoint/UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News-May 26th, 2026) Foreign ministers of Australia, India, Japan and the United States have agreed to jointly develop a port in Fiji and signed new agreements on critical minerals and energy security, as the Quad grouping seeks to expand practical cooperation in the Indo-Pacific.

The meeting brought together Australia’s Foreign Minister Penny Wong, India’s External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, Japan’s Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi, and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio. It was the third Quad foreign ministers’ meeting since September 2024.

A key outcome of the talks was the announcement of the grouping’s first joint infrastructure initiative — the development of a port in Fiji aimed at addressing infrastructure gaps and capacity constraints in Pacific Island nations.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the initiative would serve as a “practical demonstration” of the Quad’s ability to deliver resilient infrastructure, particularly in response to insufficient port capacity in the region.

The four countries also agreed on an Indo-Pacific Energy Security Initiative and a framework for cooperation on critical minerals.

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The framework focuses on strengthening supply chains through coordinated investment in mining, processing and recycling of strategic minerals.

The move is expected to support diversification of supply chains for key industries, including aerospace, defence and semiconductors, particularly for Japan, which has faced disruptions in mineral supplies in recent years.

The Quad has in recent years expanded its focus beyond maritime security to include infrastructure, technology and economic resilience in the Indo-Pacific region.

While discussions on a possible leaders’ summit were not formally confirmed, officials indicated that preparations for future high-level engagement remain underway. Analysts note that although the absence of a summit has raised questions about momentum, the grouping continues to function through ministerial-level cooperation.

The Quad countries continue to emphasise support for a “free and open Indo-Pacific,” amid shared concerns over China’s growing influence in the region. Beijing, however, has previously criticised the alliance, calling it a Cold War-style bloc aimed at containing its rise.