Fourth Quad summit

Source: The post fourth Quad summit has been created, based on the article “In Wilmington, juxtaposing immediacy with legacy” published in “The Hindu” on 19th September is 2024

UPSC Syllabus Topic: GS Paper 2-international relations-Bilateral, regional and global groupings and agreements involving India and/or affecting India’s interests

Context: The article discusses the upcoming Quad summit in the U.S. on September 21, 2024. It focuses on regional security, maritime laws, economic cooperation, and strengthening ties among Quad members. Key issues include Indo-Pacific security, leadership changes, and technology initiatives.

For detailed information on QUAD read this article here

What is the significance of the upcoming Quad summit?

1. The fourth Quad summit will be held on September 21, 2024, in Wilmington, Delaware, marking continued evolution since the first in-person summit in 2021.
2. Leadership changes in the U.S. and Japan add urgency. U.S. President Biden will not seek re-election, and Japan’s Prime Minister Kishida faces political challenges.
3. India deferred hosting this summit to allow the U.S. to manage its busy election cycle, especially after Biden’s recent G-20 visit to India.
4. The summit aims to strengthen the Quad’s maritime domain awareness (MDA) with India playing a key role through the Information Fusion Centre-Indian Ocean Region (IFC-IOR).
5. The Quad will assess progress on initiatives such as the Indo-Pacific Partnership for Maritime Domain Awareness (IPMDA) and Open-Radio Access Network (RAN) in Palau.
6. The summit is crucial due to increasing regional security threats, including China’s assertive actions and conflicts like the Russia-Ukraine war. The Quad aims to enhance security and economic resilience by diversifying regional supply chains away from China.

For detailed information on Indo-Pacific Partnership for Maritime Domain Awareness (IPMDA) read this article here

How is India contributing to regional security?

1. India plays a central role in regional security through the Information Fusion Centre-Indian Ocean Region (IFC-IOR).
2. The IFC-IOR hosts 12 International Liaison Officers, enhancing real-time maritime information sharing.
3. India’s involvement supports maintaining a free and open Indo-Pacific, focusing on freedom of navigation and a rules-based maritime order.
4. The Indo-Pacific Partnership for Maritime Domain Awareness (IPMDA), expanded in 2024, reflects India’s efforts to integrate the Indian Ocean into regional security initiatives.
5. India is committed to enhancing maritime security and promoting accountability for violations of international maritime norms.

How does the Quad align with global governance?

1. The Quad aligns with global governance by focusing on issues such as security, technology, and sustainable development.
2. The upcoming Quad summit precedes the UN Summit of the Future, where similar global concerns will be addressed.
3. The Quad’s Indo-Pacific Partnership for Maritime Domain Awareness (IPMDA) and its emphasis on a rules-based maritime order reflect global efforts toward peace and stability.
4. Key initiatives like the Open-RAN project in Palau and the space-based climate warning system in Mauritius showcase how the Quad contributes to international cooperation on critical issues like technology and climate change.

Question for practice:

Discuss the significance of the upcoming Quad summit in the U.S. on September 21, 2024, in terms of regional security and economic cooperation.