All eyes on Quad discussions as Ministers meet in Melbourne

File photo of External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar.

Tensions between Russia and NATO countries and Russia-China ties that have been strengthened during the Beijing Olympics will serve as the backdrop for ‘Quad Ministerial’ talks among External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and Foreign Ministers of Australia, Japan and the United States being held in Melbourne on Friday. The fourth ministerial, that follows the first in-person summit of Quad leaders in Washington last year, is expected to review progress in the three key areas of cooperation identified by them: Covid-19, climate change and critical and emerging technologies, as well as ensuring a “rules–based” global order.

Russia, China, North Korea tensions