‘Uninterrupted flow of global commerce’: Quad launches Indo-Pacific energy security framework amid Hormuz crisis

NEW DELHI: The Quad on Tuesday unveiled a new Indo-Pacific energy security framework aimed at tackling supply disruptions through strategic fuel reserves, coordinated emergency response mechanisms and targeted policy initiatives, amid growing concerns over instability in global energy supply chains.The announcement came after the Quad foreign ministers’ meeting in New Delhi, chaired by external affairs minister S Jaishankar and attended by US secretary of state Marco Rubio, Australian foreign minister Penny Wong and Japanese foreign minister Toshimitsu Motegi.The move comes amid rising global worries over disruptions linked to the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, a key maritime route through which nearly one-fifth of the world’s oil and liquefied natural gas supplies pass.In a joint statement, the Quad nations reiterated the importance of ensuring “unimpeded freedom of navigation and uninterrupted flow of global commerce, including in the Strait of Hormuz,” while opposing any restrictive measures that hamper commercial shipping.The grouping also stressed the need for “well-functioning, stable, transparent, secure and resilient energy markets” and highlighted the importance of diversified and resilient supply chains.The Quad countries will work together under the “Quad Initiative on Indo-Pacific Energy Security” to identify areas of cooperation in technology, policy coordination, international market analysis and emergency response exercises through a dedicated engagement plan.An official readout said the initiative would seek to “recognise and leverage the unique resources and capabilities of each country’s energy sector,” including strengthening strategic petroleum reserve systems.The Quad also said it would work with Indo-Pacific partners to improve regional energy resilience.Addressing the media after the meeting, Jaishankar said the four countries strongly believed in promoting economic resilience and strengthening supply chains.“Our deliberations touched on the current energy and fertiliser availability as well as that of critical minerals and resources. The goal is to intensify cooperation amongst ourselves, while also assisting others,” he said.“In the coming days, whether it is economic activity, energy trade or maritime commerce, the Indo-Pacific will become even more important to the world,” the minister added.The meeting also focused on maritime surveillance, critical minerals and infrastructure cooperation across the Indo-Pacific region.According to MEA additional secretary Nagaraj Naidu, the Quad launched the Indo-Pacific Maritime Surveillance Collaboration (IPMSC), aimed at enhancing coordination in maritime surveillance and improving real-time vessel tracking in the Indian Ocean region.The ministers also announced the “Quad Critical Minerals Initiative” framework to strengthen cooperation in mining, processing, recycling and investment across trusted supply chains critical for advanced manufacturing and emerging technologies.On counter-terrorism, the Quad foreign ministers strongly condemned terrorism in all forms, including cross-border terrorism.The joint statement specifically condemned the April 2025 terror attack in Pahalgam and called for decisive global action against terror entities and sponsors.The grouping further reaffirmed support for trusted infrastructure projects, including a joint port infrastructure pilot project in Fiji, while also discussing cooperation in artificial intelligence, semiconductors, 5G and 6G technologies, digital standards and undersea cable connectivity across the Indo-Pacific.