India hosted a Quad Sherpas’ Meeting in New Delhi on 3 September 2026, with Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri serving as the host. Sherpas are senior representatives who act on behalf of governments or international organisations and help prepare discussions and outcomes for high-level meetings.
The meeting followed the Quad Foreign Ministers’ Meeting held in New Delhi on 26 May. Its main purpose was to take forward the outcomes of that meeting and prepare for the next Quad Foreign Ministers’ Meeting.
Key Areas of Discussion
The Sherpas discussed major areas of cooperation, including:
- Maritime and transnational security
- Economic prosperity and security
- Critical and emerging technologies
- Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR)
They also reviewed the progress of ongoing Quad initiatives and explored ways to make cooperation more practical and effective. The participating countries reaffirmed their shared commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific.
What is the Quad?
The Quad, or Quadrilateral Security Dialogue, is an informal grouping comprising:
- Australia
- India
- Japan
- United States
It is a diplomatic partnership focused on promoting stability, resilience, security and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific.
How Did Quad Emerge?
The four countries first came together in response to the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami, providing humanitarian assistance across the affected region. This cooperation eventually evolved into the Quad.
The 2004 tsunami was among the world’s worst disasters, causing the deaths of nearly a quarter of a million people and displacing around 1.7 million people across 14 countries.
The four countries deployed more than 40,000 emergency responders, working alongside other partners to assist millions of affected people.
Over time, the Quad developed from a disaster-response coalition into a broader regional partnership addressing strategic, economic, technological and humanitarian challenges.
Evolution of Quad
| Milestone | Year/Date |
| Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami that brought the four countries together | 2004 |
| First Quad Foreign Ministers’ Meeting | September 2019, New York |
| First Quad Leaders’ Summit | March 2021, held virtually |
| Latest Quad Foreign Ministers’ Meeting mentioned | 26 May 2026, New Delhi |
| Quad Sherpas’ Meeting | 3 September 2026, New Delhi |
Major Areas of Quad Cooperation
The Quad places particular importance on international law, peace and security in the maritime domain, recognising these as essential for the Indo-Pacific’s long-term development and prosperity.
The four countries work to:
- Strengthen maritime domain awareness through information sharing, capacity-building and technical assistance.
- Help regional countries protect their ability to develop offshore resources in accordance with the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).
- Exchange information about evolving security threats.
- Cooperate with Indo-Pacific countries and through multilateral forums to counter terrorism and violent extremism.
- Support a free, open and inclusive rules-based international order based on international law.
- Protect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of countries in the region.