Ahead of the QUAD Leaders’ Summit later this year, senior officials from the Quad nations—India, Australia, Japan, and the United States—convened via video conference to review progress and strategize for future cooperation. This meeting focused on evaluating the achievements since the May 2023 Summit and the various foreign ministers’ meetings held over the past year. India will be hosting the QUAD Leaders’ Summit later this year.
Progress Review and Practical Cooperation
The officials, representing their respective foreign affairs ministries, on July 3, 2024 assessed the advancements made by the Quad Working Groups. These groups were established to fulfill the commitments from the previous summit, aiming to enhance collaboration across multiple sectors. The meeting emphasized practical cooperation among the four countries, aligning with the shared vision of a “Free and Open Indo-Pacific.”
Addressing Regional and Global Issues
A significant portion of the meeting was dedicated to exchanging views on regional and global issues. The officials reaffirmed their commitment to a free, open, inclusive, and resilient Indo-Pacific region. They highlighted the importance of regional institutions such as the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF), and the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA) in maintaining regional stability and fostering cooperation.
Expanding Quad Collaboration
According to an official statement issued by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) the discussions also explored new initiatives to further the Quad’s collaboration in delivering public goods in the Indo-Pacific.
Key areas of focus included:
Health Security: Strengthening regional health systems and preparedness.
Digital Public Infrastructure: Enhancing digital connectivity and infrastructure.
Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR): Improving coordinated responses to natural disasters.
Climate Resilience: Implementing measures to mitigate and adapt to climate change impacts.
Maritime Domain Awareness: Enhancing surveillance and security of maritime regions.
Countering Terrorism: Developing strategies to combat terrorism in the region.
Telecommunication Resiliency: Enhancing undersea cable connectivity to improve telecommunications infrastructure.
Leadership and Representation
The meeting was led by K. Nagaraj Naidu, Joint Secretary (Americas) from India’s Ministry of External Affairs; Ms. Elly Lawson, Deputy Secretary (Strategic Planning and Coordination Group) from Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade; Fujimoto Kentaro, Ambassador in charge of Quad cooperation/ Deputy Director-General of Foreign Policy Bureau from Japan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs; and Daniel Kritenbrink, Assistant Secretary (East Asian and Pacific Affairs), along with Donald Lu, Assistant Secretary (South and Central Asian Affairs) from the US Department of State.
Looking Forward
As the officials look forward to the next Quad Leaders’ Summit, which will be hosted by India later this year, they expressed their commitment to continuing regular consultations. These ongoing dialogues are crucial in ensuring that the Quad nations remain aligned in their objectives and are able to effectively address both current and emerging challenges in the Indo-Pacific region.
By reinforcing their commitment to regional collaboration and exploring new avenues for cooperation, the Quad nations aim to create a more secure, prosperous, and resilient Indo-Pacific, benefiting not only their citizens but also the broader international community.