QUAD

PM Modi attended the 6th Quad Leaders’ Summit in Wilmington, Delaware, USA, hosted by the United States.

What is Quad?

Quad (Quadrilateral Security Dialogue) is a strategic grouping of four major democracies—India, Australia, the US, and Japan. It aims to promote a free, open, and rules-based international order in the Indo-Pacific region.

• Objectives:

• • Maritime Security: Safeguarding maritime routes and upholding freedom of navigation.
  • COVID-19 and Vaccine Diplomacy: Ensuring equitable vaccine distribution and collaboration on pandemic response.
  • Climate Change: Tackling climate risks, promoting sustainable energy, and supporting vulnerable regions.
  • Economic Investment: Creating a robust economic framework for investment in the Indo-Pacific.
  • Technological Innovation: Fostering innovation, particularly in critical technologies like semiconductors, AI, and clean energy.

Evolution of Quad

• Initial Formation (2004): Informal alliance formed after the Indian Ocean tsunami for disaster relief.
• 2007 Proposal: Japan’s PM Shinzo Abe proposed formalizing Quad, but it stalled due to Chinese opposition and India’s reluctance.
• Revival (2017): Quad talks resumed during the ASEAN Summits, focusing on security and cooperation in the Indo-Pacific.
• Ministerial-Level (2019): Quad elevated to the ministerial level, boosting strategic significance.
• First Summit (2021): Held virtually in March, followed by an in-person summit in Washington, D.C. in September.
• Naval Exercise (2020): All four Quad members participated in the “Malabar Exercise,” the largest joint naval drill since 2007.

Key Outcomes of Quad Summit 2024

• Quad Wilmington Declaration: Advancing cooperation on security, economic collaboration, and technological innovation.
• Quad Cancer Moonshot: Initiative to reduce cancer in the Indo-Pacific, starting with cervical cancer, leveraging public-private investments and expertise.
• MAITRI (Maritime Initiative for Training in Indo-Pacific): Enhances regional maritime security and law enforcement. India will host the first MAITRI workshop in 2025.
• Quad-at-Sea Ship Observer Mission (2025): Joint mission to improve maritime safety and interoperability, involving the US, Japan, Australia, and Indian Coast Guards.
• Indo-Pacific Logistics Network: Pilot project for shared airlift capacity, enabling faster disaster response in the Indo-Pacific.
• Quad Ports of the Future Partnership: Supporting sustainable and resilient port infrastructure across the Indo-Pacific.
• Semiconductor Supply Chains Contingency Network: Cooperation to strengthen semiconductor supply chain resilience.
• Other Announcements:

• • Energy Efficiency: Boosting deployment of affordable cooling systems in the Indo-Pacific.
  • India’s Space Initiative for Mauritius: Launch of a space-based portal for extreme weather monitoring.
  • Quad STEM Fellowship Expansion: New fellowship sub-category for Indo-Pacific students in India.

• • Next Quad Leaders’ Summit (2025): India to host the 2025 Quad Summit.

The 6th Quad Leaders’ Summit in 2024 marked significant strides in enhancing cooperation across maritime security, technological innovation, and climate resilience. With initiatives like MAITRI and the Cancer Moonshot, the Quad continues to deepen its influence on global challenges, with India set to host the next summit in 2025.