Joe Biden's Farewell Summit: Enhancing Quad Maritime Security

Joe Biden's Farewell Summit: Strengthening Maritime Security

Wilmington, Delaware: Leaders of Australia, India, Japan and the United States will announce plans for new security initiatives in the Indian Ocean on Saturday, when outgoing US President Joe Biden hosts counterparts from the Quad grouping established due to shared concerns about China.

Enhancing Indo-Pacific Partnerships

Biden will welcome Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida for a crucial four-way meeting near his hometown of Wilmington to emphasize the importance of maintaining the Quad, regarded as a signature foreign policy achievement, before he leaves office after the Nov. 5 US presidential election.

• The leaders will unveil plans to expand an Indo-Pacific Partnership for Maritime Domain Awareness launched two years ago to include the Indian Ocean region.
• The group will announce a strategy for joint coast guard operations involving Australian, Japanese, and Indian personnel aboard a US coast guard vessel.
• Increased military logistics cooperation and crucial security technologies will also be discussed, including a new open radio access network aimed at benefiting the Pacific Islands and Southeast Asia amid intense competition with China.
• A health initiative targeting cervical cancer is expected to highlight the commitment to regional cooperation.

Analysts pointed out that the anticipated outcomes will largely build on previous efforts within the Quad, which Biden elevated to summit level in 2021. Saturday's meeting marks the Quad's sixth leader meeting.

Regional Stability Concerns

Expert Lisa Curtis, who previously worked in key US governmental roles, noted that India's perception of the Quad has been cautious due to its non-military alliance stance. She stated that the new maritime security initiatives come at a critical juncture, especially as China increases pressure on its territorial rivals in the South and East China Seas.