New Delhi

India on Tuesday asserted that the Quad grouping is not aimed at addressing the concerns of any particular region, emphasising that the four-nation alliance has evolved over the years with a focus on delivering practical and development-oriented initiatives.

Speaking at a media briefing following the Quad Foreign Ministers’ meeting in New Delhi, MEA Additional Secretary (USA & Canada) Nagaraj Naidu said the grouping’s origins date back to 2004 and highlighted its long-standing collaborative efforts.

“The Quad’s existence is not because we need to address a particular geography’s concerns. The Quad was formed back in 2004, and it has continued functioning over the years with an emphasis on practical projects,” Naidu said.

Recalling the grouping’s role during the COVID-19 pandemic, he pointed out that the Quad countries had coordinated efforts to deliver vaccines as part of the global response to the health crisis.

Naidu also highlighted several developmental initiatives undertaken through the Quad platform, including off-grid solar energy projects being implemented by India in East Africa as well as projects in Fiji.

He made the remarks while responding to a question concerning China’s reaction to references to the Indo-Pacific region in the Quad joint statement.

According to Naidu, there have been repeated attempts to portray the Quad in a particular light, even though the grouping’s activities and official documents clearly demonstrate its broader developmental agenda.

In the joint statement issued after the meeting, the Quad foreign ministers reaffirmed their commitment to developing trusted and resilient infrastructure. They also announced plans to work with the Government of Fiji to strengthen port infrastructure and related activities in the Pacific nation.

Naidu also referred to the Quad Ports of the Future Partnership Conference hosted by India in October 2025 as part of efforts to expand regional cooperation.

Meanwhile, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning reiterated Beijing’s opposition to what she described as “exclusive groupings” and “bloc confrontation.” She stated that cooperation among nations should promote regional peace, stability and prosperity rather than target any third party.

The Quad’s joint statement also expressed serious concern over developments in the East China Sea and the South China Sea.

The statement reiterated opposition to unilateral or coercive actions that could threaten regional peace and stability, including interference with offshore resource development, obstruction of freedom of navigation and unsafe maritime conduct.

It also raised concerns over the use of water cannons, flares, ramming incidents and the militarisation of disputed features in the South China Sea.

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The Quad, comprising India, the United States, Japan and Australia, has significantly broadened cooperation in recent years across areas such as maritime security, critical technologies, infrastructure, climate resilience and health security.