North News
New Delhi, September 22
The Quad is a global force for good, committed to enhancing collaboration and supporting sustainable development in the Indo-Pacific, according to a joint statement issued after the summit. In a significant gathering, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese of Australia, Prime Minister Narendra Modi of India, Prime Minister Kishida Fumio of Japan, and President Joseph R. Biden of the United States convened for the fourth in-person Quad Leaders Summit. The leaders emphasized the Quad’s evolution over the past four years into a strategically aligned coalition focused on fostering stability and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region.
“Over just four years, Quad countries have established a vital regional grouping that will support the Indo-Pacific for decades to come,” the leaders declared in a joint statement, emphasizing their collective representation of nearly two billion people and over one-third of the global GDP.
The Quad leaders reiterated their commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific, rooted in shared democratic values and the rule of law. They condemned recent destabilizing actions in the region and reaffirmed their dedication to maintaining peace and stability. “We seek a region where no country dominates and all can determine their futures without coercion,” they stated.
In line with their Vision Statement from the 2023 Quad Summit, the leaders pledged transparency in their actions and respect for regional institutions like ASEAN and the Pacific Islands Forum.
Key initiatives announced included the Quad Health Security Partnership, aimed at enhancing pandemic preparedness and addressing health challenges such as mpox and cancer. The newly launched Quad Cancer Moonshot initiative will focus on combating cervical cancer in the Indo-Pacific, backed by significant commitments from each member nation.
Additionally, the Quad partners reaffirmed their dedication to humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, announcing coordinated responses to natural disasters and pledging over $5 million in aid following recent crises in Papua New Guinea and Vietnam.
On maritime security, the leaders unveiled a new Maritime Initiative for Training in the Indo-Pacific (MAITRI) to enhance regional maritime domain awareness, and they announced plans for a first-ever Quad-at-Sea Ship Observer Mission in 2025, aimed at improving interoperability among member nations.
