Quad summit scripts a new chapter, unveils new initiatives in maritime security, space and combating cancer

WILMINGTON, DELAWARE: Pragmatic, purposeful and proactive – these three Ps framed a new alphabet of the Quad as the leaders of the four democracies unveiled a slew of actionable initiatives that will usher in 2.0 phase of this plurilateral grouping.

In an emotive gesture, US President Joe Biden welcomed Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Australian PM Anthony Albanese and Japanese PM Fumio Kishida to his alma mater and underscored his enduring commitment and that of the US to the nurturing and growth of the Quad as a guarantor of the rules-based international order.

Echoing similar thoughts, PM Modi said in a pithy one-liner, which will continue to resonate for years to come. Quad is here to stay, said PM Modi in his opening remarks. “Quad is here to stay, to assist, to partner and to complement the efforts of Indo-Pacific countries,” he said.

Underlining his personal commitment to strengthen the Quad as a force for global good, Prime Minister Modi stressed that at a time “when the world is ridden with tensions and conflicts, the coming together of Quad partners, with shared democratic ethos and values, is important for humanity.” The 70-year-old Indian leader, who recently won a third term as the leader of the world’s most populous democracy emphasized that “the group stood for upholding the international order based on the rule of law, respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity, and with a commitment to pursue peaceful resolution of disputes.” He underscored that a free, open, inclusive and prosperous Indo-Pacific was a shared objective of the Quad partners – a formulation which was highlighted by all Quad leaders, showcasing a striking convergence of views among like-minded democracies.

On the geo-strategic side, the summit culminated in new mechanisms to strengthen strategic coordination against the backdrop of increasing Chinese assertiveness in contested territories. These included “Maritime Initiative for Training in the Indo-Pacific” (MAITRI), First-ever “Quad-at-Sea Ship Observer Mission,” and “Quad Ports of the Future Partnership.” MAITRI will enable Indo-Pacific partners to maximize tools provided through IPMDA and other Quad initiatives. The first-ever “Quad-at-Sea Ship Observer Mission” in 2025 will enhance interoperability and advance maritime safety. The ports initiative will harness the Quad’s collective expertise to support sustainable and resilient port infrastructure development across the Indo-Pacific.

In the area of technology, the Quad leaders launched “Semiconductor Supply Chains Contingency Network Memorandum of Cooperation” to enhance resilience of Quad’s semiconductor supply chains and “Quad Principles for Development and Deployment of Digital Public Infrastructure” in the region and beyond. Through DPI, the Quad partners have agreed to provide equitable access and improve public service delivery at scale; governed by applicable legal frameworks that provide for a level playing field to drive development, inclusion, innovation, trust, and competition.

Imparting a fresh impetus to green growth, the four leaders agreed to enhance collective Quad effort to boost energy efficiency, including deployment and manufacturing of high-efficiency affordable cooling systems in the Indo-Pacific region.

Projecting the Quad as a force for global public good, the four leaders unveiled “Quad Cancer Moonshot,” a groundbreaking partnership to save lives in the Indo-Pacific region by combating cervical cancer. India will offer technical assistance and capacity building on DPI in cancer care to interested countries from the Indo-Pacific region through its commitment of $10 million to the WHO’s Global Initiative on Digital Health.

The leaders welcomed India’s establishment of a space-based web portal for Mauritius, to support the concept of open science for space-based monitoring of extreme weather events and climate impact.

The sixth in-person summit in Joe Biden’s hometown has bolstered Quad’s role as a force for global public good and an underwriter of international rules-based order. China was the invisible elephant in the room, with all four leaders underlining their joint resolve to counter attempts to jeopardise the status quo in contested territories. In a subtle balancing act, the four countries which count China as their leading economic partner also tried to spin the narrative that Quad is not directed against any third country.

(Manish Chand, is CEO, Centre for Global India Insights, a think tank focused on global affairs, and Editor-in-Chief, India Writes Network and India and the World. He is in Wilmington, Delaware to report on and analyse the Quad summit).

Author Profile

Manish Chand

Manish Chand is Founder-CEO and Editor-in-Chief of India Writes Network (www.indiawrites.org) and India and World, a pioneering magazine focused on international affairs. He is CEO/Director of TGII Media Private Limited, an India-based media, publishing, research and consultancy company.