US Deputy Secretary of State Stephen Biegun has called for expansion of Quad, saying like-minded countries and groupings must join hands to ensure a free and open Indo-Pacific.<br />'' <br />''Addressing the India-US forum in New Delhi, he said, the coalition can be extended to broader areas of shared interests and with other like-minded partners seeking a free and open Indo-Pacific.<br />'' <br />''Biegun said, in Southeast Asia, Quad partners can deepen engagement with 10-nation ASEAN grouping, cooperate in defending freedom of the seas, and work together in governance, health, environmental protection and transparent data sharing.<br />'' <br />''He said Quad is a partnership driven by shared interests, not binding obligations, and is not intended to be an exclusive grouping.<br />'' <br />''Biegun said, any country that seeks a free and open Indo-Pacific and is willing to take steps to ensure that should be welcome to work with us.<br />'' <br />''The foreign ministers of Quad comprising the US, India, Australia and Japan met in Tokyo on October 6 during which they agreed to deepen cooperation in the Indo-Pacific region.<br />''<br />''External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and US Deputy Secretary of State held talks on bilateral, regional and key global issues with a focus on the common vision of the two countries for the Indo-Pacific region.<br />'' <br />''<span style="color: #222222;">Biegun arrived in New Delhi on Monday on a three-day visit primarily to finalise the groundwork for the third edition of two-plus-two dialogue between the two countries later this month.</span><br />