• The Quad, comprising the US, Japan, India, and Australia, has pledged to strengthen cooperation in the Indian Ocean Region.
• The group plans to implement the 'Maritime Initiative for Training in the Indo-Pacific (MAITRI)' to enhance maritime security.
• The Quad also launched the 'Quad Cancer Moonshot' initiative to combat cancer and the 'Quad Ports of the Future Partnership' for infrastructure development.
• Looking ahead, the Quad plans to launch a Ship Observer Mission in 2025 and expand digital cooperation to the Philippines and Tuvalu.

The Quad, a strategic forum comprising the United States, Japan, India, and Australia, has recently reaffirmed its commitment to bolster cooperation in the Indian Ocean Region. This commitment was expressed in the Wilmington Declaration, a document released following a meeting of the Quad leaders in Delaware.

The leaders in attendance were US President Joe Biden, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida.

The Wilmington Declaration recognized India's pivotal role in shaping the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA) Outlook on the Indo-Pacific (IOIP). The Quad leaders expressed their support for the implementation of this outlook, highlighting India's leadership in the region.

This recognition underscores the strategic importance of India in the Indo-Pacific region, a region that has been the focus of increasing geopolitical attention in recent years.

In a bid to enhance maritime security in the Indo-Pacific, the Quad agreed to implement the 'Maritime Initiative for Training in the Indo-Pacific (MAITRI)'. This initiative aims to monitor and secure waters, enforce maritime laws, and deter unlawful behavior. The implementation of MAITRI is a significant step towards ensuring a free and open Indo-Pacific, a goal shared by all Quad members.

Quad's Health and Infrastructure Initiatives

In addition to security concerns, the Quad is also addressing health issues in the region. The group launched the 'Quad Cancer Moonshot', an initiative aimed at reducing the number of lives lost to cancer in the Indo-Pacific. The initiative will initially focus on combatting cervical cancer, a significant health issue in many parts of the region.

The Quad also announced the 'Quad Ports of the Future Partnership'. This partnership aims to support the development of sustainable and resilient port infrastructure across the Indo-Pacific. The development of such infrastructure is crucial for the economic growth and stability of the region.

The Quad expressed concern about the coercive and intimidating maneuvers in the South China Sea. The group emphasized the importance of upholding the international order based on the rule of law, particularly as reflected in the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). This stance is a clear response to the challenges to the global maritime rules-based order.

Quad's Commitment to International Law and Future Plans

The Quad leaders stated, We are united in commitment to upholding a stable and open international system, with strong support for human rights, freedom, the rule of law, democratic values, sovereignty and territorial integrity, and peaceful settlement of disputes and prohibition on the threat or use of force in accordance with international law, including the UN Charter.

The leaders also underscored the significance of the 2016 Arbitral Award on the South China Sea as a milestone and the basis for peacefully resolving disputes between the parties. This statement is a clear endorsement of the rule of law in maritime disputes.

Looking ahead, the four leaders agreed to launch a Quad-at-Sea Ship Observer Mission in 2025, to share knowledge and experience. This mission will further enhance the Quad's maritime capabilities and cooperation. The group also agreed to expand cooperation in the area of 5G and Open RAN to the Philippines and Tuvalu. This expansion of cooperation in the digital sphere is a testament to the Quad's commitment to addressing the diverse challenges and opportunities in the Indo-Pacific region.