The Quad Summit on Sunday delivered a series of impactful announcements, focusing on collaboration across critical sectors like health, maritime security, and technology in the Indo-Pacific region.
Hosted by the US President Joe Biden in Wilmington, Delaware, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese of Australia, Prime Minister Kishida Fumio of Japan, met for the fourth in-person Quad Leaders’ Summit.
India in QUAD
India, a key player in the Quad alliance, made significant commitments that will not only benefit the region but also showcase its leadership in global diplomacy. Here’s a breakdown of the major initiatives and India’s role in driving them forward.
Quad Cancer Moonshot: A Lifesaving Health Initiative
One of the most significant outcomes of the Quad Summit was the launch of the “Quad Cancer Moonshot,” a comprehensive effort to improve cancer care across the Indo-Pacific. India’s contribution is pivotal in this initiative. The country has committed US$7.5 million worth of HPV sampling kits, detection tools, and cervical cancer vaccines to Indo-Pacific nations. Furthermore, India’s Serum Institute, in partnership with Gavi, will support orders of up to 40 million HPV vaccine doses. This collaboration is a major step forward in combating preventable cancers in the region, with India at the forefront of the health campaign.
Moreover, India will also provide $10 million to the WHO’s Global Initiative on Digital Health, offering technical assistance and capacity building in cancer care through the use of Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI). This combination of financial aid, vaccines, and digital infrastructure reflects the Quad’s commitment to saving lives and improving healthcare across the Indo-Pacific.
Strengthening Maritime Security: Quad-at-Sea Ship Observer Mission
The Quad nations announced the first-ever “Quad-at-Sea Ship Observer Mission” to take place in 2025. This mission aims to improve the interoperability of Coast Guards across the Indo-Pacific while advancing maritime safety. India, with its extensive coastline and strategic location, will play a crucial role in ensuring that the region’s waters are more secure and free from illegal activities.
This initiative aligns with other maritime efforts like the “Maritime Initiative for Training in the Indo-Pacific” (MAITRI), which India will spearhead by hosting its inaugural workshop during its Quad Presidency in 2025. Through MAITRI, Indo-Pacific partners will be trained to better monitor and secure their waters, enhancing maritime governance across the region.
Building Resilient Infrastructure: Quad Ports of the Future Partnership
The “Quad Ports of the Future Partnership” is another major initiative designed to develop sustainable and resilient port infrastructure throughout the Indo-Pacific. This effort will ensure that ports remain operational during disruptions such as pandemics, natural disasters, and cyber or terrorist attacks. India will host the inaugural Quad Ports of the Future Partnership conference, bringing together the expertise of Quad members to promote best practices in maintaining port infrastructure.
As part of its broader infrastructure development strategy, India also committed to hosting a capacity-building workshop with the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI). This initiative focuses on enhancing the resilience of infrastructure against the backdrop of growing climate challenges in the region.
Boosting Semiconductor Supply Chains: A Contingency Network for the Future
The Quad also recognized the importance of diversifying and securing semiconductor supply chains, a critical aspect of global technology infrastructure. The four nations agreed to establish a “Semiconductor Supply Chains Contingency Network,” aiming to leverage the strengths of each member to create a more competitive and resilient market. This cooperation will enhance the Quad’s capacity to respond to disruptions in semiconductor supplies, which have become increasingly vital in both economic and security contexts.
Addressing Energy Efficiency and Digital Transformation
Energy efficiency is another area where the Quad is aiming to make strides, particularly through the deployment of high-efficiency, affordable cooling systems across the Indo-Pacific. This initiative is part of a collective effort to address energy needs and mitigate the impacts of climate change.
On the digital front, the Quad introduced the “Quad Principles for Development and Deployment of Digital Public Infrastructure.” This set of principles focuses on equitable access, improved public service delivery, and fostering innovation and competition. India’s leadership in digital transformation is evident, as the country will offer technical assistance to interested Indo-Pacific nations, ensuring they can leverage DPI to enhance public services and drive innovation.
Reforming Global Governance: UN Security Council Expansion
A significant diplomatic achievement at the summit was the collective agreement to push for reforming the UN Security Council. The leaders recognized the urgent need to make the Council more representative, inclusive, and democratic. This reform seeks to expand both permanent and non-permanent membership categories, ensuring that the Security Council better reflects the realities of the modern world.
India’s Role in Expanding Education and Clean Energy
Beyond the Quad’s collective initiatives, India announced individual efforts to foster development in the Indo-Pacific. India will offer scholarships for students from the region to pursue engineering degrees at its government-funded technical institutes. This educational initiative will help strengthen people-to-people ties and build the next generation of engineers equipped to handle future challenges.
Additionally, India committed to investing $2 million in solar projects in small island nations like Fiji, Comoros, Madagascar, and Seychelles. This investment underscores India’s focus on promoting clean energy and combating climate change, aligning with the broader Quad goal of advancing sustainable development.