Quad launches maritime, health initiatives; condemns aggression in disputed regions

• The Quad strongly condemned aggression in the East and South China Sea and expressed alarm over the war in Ukraine, noting that all four leaders had visited the country.

Highlights:

• The sixth summit meeting of the Quad group, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, U.S. President Joe Biden, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, took place at Archmere Academy in Delaware, U.S.
• The leaders discussed various outcomes aimed at strengthening cooperation, particularly in maritime security and healthcare.

Major Initiatives and Collaborations

• New Coast Guard Exercises and Maritime Security:
  • The Quad launched a new coast guard exercise to enhance regional security.
  • Quad-at-Sea Ship Observer Mission (2025) was announced to improve maritime safety and interoperability.
  • Future Coast Guard missions are also planned post-2025.
• Maritime Surveillance Expansion and Training:
  • A logistics network pilot project was initiated, focusing on sharing airlift capacity to aid disaster response.
  • Maritime Initiative for Training in the Indo-Pacific (MAITRI) was introduced to train partners in securing waters and enforcing laws. India will host the first MAITRI workshop in 2025.
• Maritime Legal Dialogue:
  • A maritime legal dialogue was launched to uphold the rules-based maritime order.

Healthcare Cooperation: Combating Cervical Cancer:

• Quad countries launched the ‘Quad Cancer Moonshot’, a program to fight cervical cancer.
• India committed $10 million towards disease screening.
• The Serum Institute of India and Gavi will provide up to 40 million vaccines for the region, pending approvals.

Joint Condemnation of Regional Aggression

• East and South China Sea:
  • The Quad strongly condemned aggression in the East and South China Sea, particularly referring to tensions involving China and the Philippines.
  • Concerns were expressed over the militarization of disputed areas and intimidation tactics.
  • The statement condemned the use of coast guard and maritime militia vessels in disruptive activities.
• War in Ukraine:
  • The Quad expressed deep concern over the war in Ukraine, emphasizing the need for a comprehensive, just, and lasting peace aligned with international law.
  • The leaders reaffirmed support for the UN Charter, stressing the importance of sovereignty and territorial integrity.
  • They highlighted the global impact of the war, especially on food and energy security.

Educational Initiatives: STEM Scholarships:

• The Quad fellowship program was expanded to promote STEM education.
• 50 scholarships, worth $500,000, were announced for students from the region to study at government-funded technical institutions in India.

Prelims Takeaways:

• Maritime Initiative for Training in the Indo-Pacific (MAITRI)