India reaffirms free Indo-Pacific vision, backs ASEAN centrality

The meeting was also attended by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong and her Japanese counterpart Toshimitsu Motegi.

Second meeting this year

The last meeting of the grouping's foreign ministers was held in New Delhi in May, when Rubio travelled to India.

“Glad to participate in the Quad Foreign Ministers Meeting in Manila. Reviewed the Indo-Pacific landscape and discussed recent developments. Followed up on the outcomes of the recent New Delhi meeting," Jaishankar said in a social media post.

Also read: World is 'extremely turbulent for any single nation to handle alone': Jaishankar

"Committed to a free and open Indo-Pacific with a recognition of ASEAN centrality," he said.

The Quad foreign ministers are in the Philippine capital to attend meetings related to ASEAN.

The ASEAN, or the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, is considered one of the most influential groupings in the region, and India and several other countries, including the US, China, Japan and Australia are its dialogue partners.

Chinese military posturing

A joint press release said the Quad foreign ministers met to reaffirm the Quad's commitment to strengthen a free and open Indo-Pacific and to express "unwavering support" for ASEAN unity and centrality.

The Quad's renewed resolve to expand cooperation to ensure peace and stability came against the backdrop of China's growing military posturing in the region.

Also read: Quad expands Indo-Pacific cooperation with maritime surveillance and port initiatives

"We are deeply invested in the region's success and in cooperating with ASEAN and its member states," it said.

Focus on shared priorities

The Quad foreign ministers also discussed regional challenges and opportunities to strengthen support for the practical implementation of the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific (AOIP), it said.

The focus was on shared priorities of maritime and transnational security, economic prosperity and security, critical and emerging technologies, and humanitarian assistance and emergency response, according to the release.

Also read/watch: Is Quad gradually slipping into irrelevance? | Worldly-Wise

"We are united in our conviction that peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific maritime domain underpin the security and prosperity of the region," it said.

(With inputs from agencies)