2024 Quad Leaders’ Summit

Why in the news ?

Leaders of the Quad group of countries met at their sixth summit-level meeting at Archmere Academy, Delaware, to announce a broad range of outcomes. 

Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (QUAD) 

• The Quad is an informal diplomatic alliance between Australia, India, Japan, and the US, aimed at promoting an open, stable, and prosperous Indo-Pacific.  
• Initially proposed by Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe in 2007, it became a formal group in 2017 after overcoming challenges like Australia’s earlier withdrawal under Chinese pressure. 

key Initiatives of QUAD 2024

• Quad Cancer Moonshot, a groundbreaking partnership to save lives in the Indo-Pacific region.
  • Under this, India will provide $7.5 million worth of HPV sampling kits, detection kits and cervical cancer vaccines to countries in the Indo-Pacific.
  • A commitment from the Serum Institute of India, in partnership with Gavi and the Quad, to support orders of up to 40 million HPV vaccine doses for the Indo-Pacific region.
• Coast Guard Cooperation: The First-ever “Quad-at-Sea Ship Observer Mission” in 2025 to improve interoperability and advance maritime safety between our Coast Guards across the Indo-Pacific.
• The Quad Indo-Pacific Logistics Network pilot project, in order to support civilian response to natural disasters more rapidly and efficiently across the Indo-Pacific region.
• The “Quad Ports of the Future Partnership” will harness the Quad’s collective expertise to support sustainable and resilient port infrastructure development across the Indo-Pacific.
• The “Semiconductor Supply Chains Contingency Network Memorandum of Cooperation” to enhance Quad resilience in semiconductor supply chains.
• Reform at the UN Security Council: The Leaders recognised the urgent need to make it more representative, inclusive, and democratic through expansion in permanent and non-permanent categories of membership
• Quad Principles for Development and Deployment of Digital Public Infrastructure were welcomed for the region and beyond.
• The Maritime Initiative for Training in the Indo-Pacific” (MAITRI) to enable regional partners to monitor and secure their waters, enforce their laws, and deter unlawful behaviour.
  • India will host the first MAITRI workshop in 2025.

What are Quad Principles for Development and Deployment of Digital Public Infrastructure?

• About the Principles: It was announced by the Quad countries that outline a framework for building and using digital infrastructure that is inclusive, transparent, and respects democratic values.
• About Digital public infrastructure (DPI): It is described as a set of shared digital systems that are secure, reliable and interoperable.
  • They are built and leveraged by the public and private sector to provide equitable access and improve public service delivery at a large scale.
• Quad Principles for DPI: Quad affirmed the following principles for the development and deployment of DPI among others.
  • Inclusivity: Eliminate barriers to empower end-users and ensure last-mile access, avoiding algorithmic bias.
  • Interoperability: Use open standards for interoperability while considering legal and technical constraints.
  • Scalability: Design systems flexibly to manage unexpected demand increases or expansions.
  • Security and Privacy: Integrate privacy-enhancing technologies and security features to protect individual data and resilience.
  • Governance for Public Benefit: Ensure systems are safe, trusted, transparent, and promote competition, inclusion, and data protection.
  • Sustainability: Ensure continuous operations through adequate financing and technological support.
  • Intellectual Property Protection: Protect intellectual property rights based on existing legal frameworks.
  • Sustainable Development: Align systems with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

The Strategic Significance of Quad

• Act East policy: India’s participation in the Quad emphasizing deeper engagement with East Asian nations and strengthening maritime security cooperation. 
• Military cooperation: It provides a platform for military cooperation, intelligence sharing, and joint exercises aimed at maintaining maritime security and ensuring the rule of law.
• Counterbalancing China’s Influence: QUAD is crucial for India’s interests in safeguarding its maritime trade routes and ensuring freedom of navigation in international waters.
• India has supported a rule-based multipolar world and QUAD can help it in achieving its ambition of becoming a regional superpower.

2024 Quad Leaders’ Summit

#2024QuadLeaders’Summit

CBL Practice Questions for Prelims

Which of the following is NOT a stated goal of the Quad?

a) Ensuring a free and open Indo-Pacific
b) Enhancing military cooperation against China
c) Strengthening economic ties among member countries
d) Promoting sustainable development and climate action

Answer: b) Enhancing military cooperation against China

CBL Mains Practice Question

Evaluate the implications of the Quad for China’s influence in the Indo-Pacific region. What strategies can China adopt in response to the Quad’s initiatives?

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