India, Japan, Australia and the US are meeting at a critical time

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken is in Melbourne for talks with Indo-Pacific allies

The US is fighting multiple issues right now…confronting Russia, Talks with NATO, while still fighting the war on terror.

But today it’s all about China’s increasing power and Beijing’s growing relationship with Moscow

The top diplomats of the United States, Australia, Japan and India started talks here in Melbourne a short time ago deepening their Quad alliance

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken admitted before the meeting that Russia’s threat to Ukraine is top focus for Washington right now, but the longer term challenge is China

Is the U.S sending a powerful sign here that despite the tensions between Russia and Ukraine, America can focus on multiple issues at once?

Marise Payne, Australia’s minister for foreign affairs, says the Quad ministers will work together

While China has been the focus of the Quad, the four countries say the Melbourne meeting is about practical cooperation and, in Blinken’s words, an “affirmative vision” on a range of issues

Blinken says the Indo-Pacific will “shape the century” as this trip will be key for America to prove its commitment to the region

After these talks to today, Blinken will fly to Fiji where he will meet with leaders of Pacific Island nations.