Quad nations eye leaders' summit at Philippines Asean meet

The Quad—comprising India, the United States, Japan, and Australia—is actively exploring options to convene a leaders' meeting during the Asean Summit scheduled for the Philippines next month, people familiar with the matter said. The proposed gathering would represent a significant step forward for the strategic partnership, which has faced scheduling challenges that have delayed the summit by more than a year.

Using the margins of the Asean Summit would provide a practical diplomatic platform for the four leaders to meet without requiring a separately organized event. The Philippines is set to host the regional gathering, offering a convenient venue for the Quad nations to coordinate on shared priorities including regional security, economic cooperation, and maritime issues.

The Quad partnership has gained prominence as a mechanism for addressing strategic concerns in the Indo-Pacific region. A leaders' summit would enable the four democracies to discuss their collective approach to regional developments and reinforce their commitment to the partnership's core objectives.

While discussions are ongoing, final confirmation of the meeting's timing and format has not yet been announced. Officials from the member states have been in discussions to work out the logistics and ensure the summit can proceed as planned during the Asean gathering.