The year 2025 saw significant geopolitical shifts, particularly with Donald Trump's return to the White House, intensifying U.S.-China competition in the Indo-Pacific. The Quad, comprising India, Australia, Japan, and the U.S., remains a key U.S. engagement forum aiming for a free, open, and inclusive Indo-Pacific. Despite early suspicions due to Trump's 'America First' policy, the Quad was a priority, though a planned leader-level summit in India for 2025 was unable to convene, leading to speculation about the group's momentum.