Quad have launched the first-ever ‘QUAD at Sea Ship Observer Mission’ under the Wilmington Declaration.
QUAD Nations Launch First-Ever ‘At Sea Observer Mission’
In a significant stride toward strengthening maritime security and interoperability in the Indo-Pacific, the Coast Guards of India, Japan, the United States, and Australia have launched the first-ever ‘QUAD at Sea Ship Observer Mission’ under the Wilmington Declaration. The cross-embarkation mission marks an unprecedented step in QUAD Coast Guard collaboration, enhancing joint readiness, operational coordination, and domain awareness in support of a Free, Open, Inclusive, and Rules-Based Indo-Pacific.
The mission reflects the vision laid out at the QUAD Leaders’ Summit in September 2024 and signifies a deepening of operational ties between the ICG, Japan Coast Guard, US Coast Guard, and Australian Border Force.
India’s participation reinforces its strategic maritime vision of SAGAR (Security and Growth for All in the Region) and complements national efforts under the Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative (IPOI), with an emphasis on capacity-building, humanitarian outreach, and maritime rule of law. The QUAD at Sea initiative thus sets the foundation for a ‘QUAD Coast Guard Handshake,’ fostering stronger trust, coordination, and collective resilience amid evolving maritime challenges in the region.
What is Quad Group?
The Quad Group, officially known as the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (Quad), is a strategic forum comprising four countries:
- India
- United States
- Japan
- Australia
🔍 Purpose of the Quad
The Quad was formed to promote:
- Free and open Indo-Pacific
- Rule-based international order
- Maritime security
- Counterterrorism
- Infrastructure development
- Disaster relief & humanitarian assistance
- Emerging technologies cooperation
🕰️ History
- Originally proposed in 2007 by Japan’s then Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.
- After a period of dormancy, it was revived in 2017, largely due to rising concerns about China’s assertiveness in the Indo-Pacific region.
- Since 2021, Quad leaders have held annual summits and ministerial meetings.
🌍 Key Initiatives
Some major areas of collaboration under Quad include:
- Vaccine diplomacy (especially during COVID-19)
- Cybersecurity
- Supply chain resilience
- Climate change
- Undersea cable protection
- Critical and emerging technologies
📌 Significance
- The Quad is not a military alliance, but it is seen as a counterbalance to China’s influence in the Indo-Pacific.
- It promotes democratic values, transparency, and regional cooperation.
