New Delhi [India], July 21 (ANI): Philippines Ambassador to India Josel F Ignacio on Tuesday stated that the upcoming Quad Ministerial assembly that’s set to happen in Manila is a ‘very welcome sign’ amid a interval of worldwide instability and uncertainty, whereas highlighting the grouping’s resolve to deal with urgent geopolitical challenges.
Speaking to ANI on the Quad ministerial assembly, Ignacio stated the 4 member nations — India, the United States, Japan and Australia — are essential companions of the Philippines and expressed hope that the assembly would ship significant outcomes on regional issues.
‘The QUAD members, the 4 nations, are all crucial companions of the Philippines. Now the entire US is a treaty ally, and the three are strategic companions of the Philippines. I believe what the QUAD assembly happening in Manila this week, as our good buddy Ambassador Gor has introduced, is a really welcome sign in a interval of instability and uncertainty,’ Ignacio stated.
He added that the assembly, being held simply months after the earlier Quad Foreign Ministers’ gathering in New Delhi, displays the grouping’s dedication to enjoying a constructive function in addressing modern challenges.
‘The QUAD Foreign Ministers assembly once more, simply a few months since their final assembly in Delhi, exhibits the resolve of the grouping and their willpower to make an impactful contribution to deal with the issues of our time, arising from present geopolitical issues. So it is a very welcome growth, and we look ahead to the outcomes of that assembly,’ the envoy stated.
US Ambassador to India Sergio Gor, in a publish on X, said that the Quad assembly will happen in Manila and that he would be part of US Secretary of State Marco Rubio within the Philippines for the second ministerial-level Quad assembly of the 12 months.
‘Looking ahead to becoming a member of SecRubio this week within the Philippines for our second Ministerial Quad assembly of the 12 months. The United States is dedicated to a free and open Indo-Pacific; our Quad companions are important!’ Gor stated in a publish on X.
Meanwhile, Rubio has additionally arrived in Manila, the place he would additionally meet with ASEAN leaders and take part within the East Asia Summit.
On the potential for discussions round maritime security and freedom of navigation, notably amid developments within the South China Sea, Ignacio stated he hoped the assembly would construct on earlier commitments made by the grouping.
‘Certainly that’s our hope. We have welcomed the QUAD Foreign Ministers’ assertion of May 2026. And there are loads of references to regional issues, the sources of regional stress which are prime of thoughts now, definitely together with the South China Sea,’ he stated.
The Philippine envoy added that because the Foreign Ministers are assembly once more, there needs to be additional progress on points already highlighted in earlier statements.
‘And if the Foreign Ministers are assembly once more, definitely they can’t be issuing the identical assertion. So there needs to be some build-up on that, and we glance ahead with anticipation as to what progress they’ll sign on these points,’ Ignacio added.
Earlier in May, the Foreign Ministers of Australia, India and Japan, together with the US Secretary of State, met in New Delhi for the Quad Foreign Ministers’ Meeting hosted by India.
In a joint assertion issued after the assembly, the Quad nations expressed concern over developments within the East China Sea and South China Sea, opposing destabilising or unilateral actions that threaten regional peace and stability.
The grouping additionally voiced issues over actions together with interference with offshore useful resource growth, obstruction of freedom of navigation and overflight, harmful manoeuvres by navy plane and maritime vessels, and the militarisation of disputed options.
The Quad, comprising India, the United States, Japan and Australia, has expanded cooperation throughout areas together with maritime safety, crucial and rising applied sciences, infrastructure, well being safety and local weather resilience. (ANI)