External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Monday said the Indo-Pacific region is poised to become a significant energy lifeline, as he departed for Tokyo to attend the Quad Foreign Ministers' Meeting. He emphasised the strategic importance of the region in ensuring energy security and economic stability.
Quad Meeting Agenda
The Quad, comprising India, the United States, Japan, and Australia, will discuss regional cooperation, maritime security, and critical technologies. Jaishankar highlighted that energy cooperation would be a key focus area, given the global energy crisis exacerbated by geopolitical tensions.
Energy Security in Indo-Pacific
Jaishankar noted that the Indo-Pacific region holds vast reserves of energy resources, including oil, gas, and renewable energy potential. He stressed the need for collaborative efforts to develop resilient supply chains and infrastructure to meet growing energy demands.
He also pointed out that the Quad countries are working together to promote clean energy transitions and ensure access to affordable energy for all nations in the region. The meeting is expected to result in concrete initiatives to boost energy cooperation.
Strategic Partnerships
Apart from energy, the Quad ministers will deliberate on issues like cybersecurity, counterterrorism, and humanitarian assistance. Jaishankar underscored the importance of a free and open Indo-Pacific, where all nations can thrive without coercion.
The meeting comes amid rising tensions in the South China Sea and the Indo-Pacific region, making energy security a critical component of regional stability.
