QUAD launches first-ever ‘at sea ship observer mission’ to boost maritime cooperation-OxBig News Network

In a significant stride towards strengthening maritime security and interoperability in the Indo-Pacific, the Coast Guards of India, Japan, the United States, and Australia have launched the first-ever ‘QUAD at Sea’ and is named ‘ship observer mission’.

Two officers, including women officers from each country have embarked on board US Coast Guard Cutter (USCGC) Stratton, which is currently sailing to Guam, in the Pacific Ocean.

The Ministry of Defence said this was in “support of a free, open, inclusive, and rules-based Indo-Pacific.”  The mission reflects the vision laid out at the QUAD Leaders’ Summit in September 2024 and signifies a deepening of operational ties between the Indian Coast Guard (ICG), Japan Coast Guard (JCG), US Coast Guard (USCG), and Australian Border Force (ABF), it said.

The cross-embarkation mission marks an unprecedented step in QUAD Coast Guard collaboration, enhancing joint readiness, operational coordination, and domain awareness, the MoD said.

The initiative sets the foundation for a ‘QUAD Coast Guard Handshake,’ fostering stronger trust, coordination, and collective resilience amid evolving maritime challenges in the region.

Last September, the Quad leaders’ summit dropped a hesitation in mounting a venture with military potential to counter China’s expanding influence.

The four nations, represented by their leaders — Joe Biden of the US, India’s Narendra Modi, Australia’s Anthony Albanese and Japan’s Fumio Kishida — announced in Wilmington, Delaware, where the Quad summit was hosted by the US, that it would stand for the maintenance of peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region.

The summit came up with the “Wilmington Declaration”, detailing the way forward.

The Quad plans to train smaller countries in the Indo-Pacific in maritime security. Another layer of technology will be added and real-time data shared to keep an eye at sea.

The Quad declaration in September last year had said “Quad is more strategically aligned than ever before and is a force for good that delivers real, positive and enduring impact for the Indo-Pacific”.