Leaders from Australia, India, Japan, and the United States met near President Biden’s hometown of Wilmington, Delaware to discuss new security initiatives in the Indian Ocean and emphasize the importance of the Quad grouping established to address concerns about China. They announced plans to expand the Indo-Pacific Partnership for Maritime Domain Awareness to include the Indian Ocean region and engage in joint coast guard operations and military logistics cooperation.
The leaders also agreed to provide critical and security technologies to Pacific islands and Southeast Asia to counter China’s influence in those regions. They highlighted cooperation in combating cervical cancer as part of a health initiative. During a private meeting, officials were caught on hot mics discussing China as a main topic of focus.
Analysts noted that the meeting would build on the work done within the Quad, which has been elevated to a summit level by Biden in 2021. The focus on maritime security initiatives amid China’s increased pressure on territorial rivals in the South and East China Seas sends a message to Beijing. India’s concerns about militarization in the Indo-Pacific have been eased by China’s recent maritime aggression.
Biden hosting the Quad summit is seen as an effort to institutionalize the group before his departure from office. The Quad partners aim to show strategic alignment, commitment to regional stability, and a long-term dedication to the Indo-Pacific region. The bipartisan support for the Quad is reflected in the formation of a congressional Quad Caucus, indicating a united front against China’s ambitions in the region.
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