The highly anticipated Quad Leaders’ Summit, comprising Bharat, Australia, Japan, and the US, is unlikely to take place before November due to upcoming elections in Bharat and the US. Initially planned for January, the summit faced delays when US President Joe Biden couldn’t accept Bharat’s invitation to the Republic Day celebrations. Now, with Bharat heading into election season by April and the US presidential election slated for November.
Preceding the summit, Japan will host a meeting of Quad foreign ministers in the summer, though dates are yet to be finalized, possibly occurring after July. Despite the delay, efforts to frame a comprehensive work programme persist, with various working groups assigned to outline deliverables across key areas, including economic security initiatives, health security, and maritime security.
Economic Security Initiatives at Forefront
One of the primary focuses for the Quad members is economic security initiatives. This entails strategies concerning critical minerals, resilient supply chains, and infrastructure projects. In addressing critical minerals, the group aims to assess sourcing rare earths, identifying member needs, and mitigating vulnerabilities. The objective is to provide viable alternatives transparently to countries in the Indo-Pacific region, countering China’s influence, particularly in infrastructure and telecommunications.
Health Security and Maritime Security Efforts
The Quad’s health security working group, stemming from the pandemic-era vaccine group, remains actively engaged. This involves direct collaboration among health authorities to prepare for future epidemics and medical emergencies. Moreover, significant strides have been made in maritime security, with efforts to bolster partners’ capacities across the Indo-Pacific to maintain maritime security and domain awareness.
A noteworthy development is the launch of the Indo-Pacific Partnership for Maritime Domain Awareness (IPMDA), utilizing commercial satellite data to monitor regional waters. The IPMDA aims to combat unregulated fishing and illegal shipping, promoting adherence to international law. In October, HawkEye 360, a leading defense technology firm, was contracted to provide satellite data and analytics, furthering the Quad’s objective of ensuring an open and stable Indo-Pacific region.
Inclusive Agenda Amid Geopolitical Dynamics
While countering China’s influence remains a key aspect of the Quad’s agenda, an inclusive approach is emphasized to foster an open, stable, and prosperous Indo-Pacific. As geopolitical dynamics evolve, the Quad continues to adapt its strategies, affirming its commitment to regional security and cooperation.
Despite the postponement of the summit, the Quad’s ongoing efforts in framing a robust work programme underscore its determination to address shared challenges and opportunities in the Indo-Pacific region.
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