Quad foreign ministers met in Atlanta on Saturday to review progress on critical minerals, maritime security, and disaster relief. The US announced $10 million in funding for mineral recovery in India. Rubio said, “I was pleased to meet with my Quad counterparts in Atlanta and discuss the real progress.”
Quad ministers in Atlanta reviewed key initiatives on critical minerals, maritime security and disaster relief, including $10 million in US funding for mineral recovery in India.
The Quad foreign ministers met in Atlanta on Saturday, with India, the US, Japan and Australia reviewing progress on initiatives spanning critical minerals, maritime security, disaster relief and regional connectivity.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio hosted External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong and Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi on the sidelines of the G20 Foreign Ministers’ Meeting. It was the third Quad ministerial meeting of 2026, following meetings in New Delhi in May and Manila in July.
Rubio said the meeting focused on turning the grouping’s priorities into practical outcomes.
“I was pleased to meet with my Quad counterparts in Atlanta and discuss the real progress we have made in turning our shared priorities into real benefits for the Indo-Pacific.
$10 Million For Mineral Recovery
One of the key announcements was US funding of $10 million to support facilities aimed at recovering critical minerals from e-waste and scrap in India and ASEAN countries.
The move builds on the Quad Critical Minerals Framework announced at the May 2026 foreign ministers’ meeting in New Delhi, which focused on strengthening supply chains through mining, processing and recycling.
India’s First-Responder Role In Nepal
The ministers also acknowledged India’s response to the devastating floods in Nepal on August 26. India quickly sent humanitarian assistance and essential medicines, with the first 10-tonne consignment dispatched within hours of the disaster. India’s rapid response was subsequently described as reinforcing its role as a regional “first responder".
Chennai-To-Perth Quad Maritime Mission
Another key development was the Quad-at-Sea Ship Observer Mission, under which Indian Coast Guard ship Shaunak sailed from Chennai to Perth on September 25, carrying officers from all four Quad countries. The mission was aimed at strengthening maritime coordination and interoperability.
The Quad also plans its first joint exercise under the Indo-Pacific Maritime Surveillance Collaboration initiative at Sea Dragon 2027, building on the maritime cooperation announced in New Delhi in May.
Disaster Relief Cooperation
Australia, Japan and the US are also set to send observers to India’s AJHE-26 humanitarian assistance and disaster relief exercise in November, adding another layer to the Quad’s disaster-response cooperation.
The Atlanta meeting comes as the four countries prepare for a possible Quad leaders’ summit in Manila next month.