QUAD Initiates Maritime Observer Mission to Enhance Indo-Pacific Security

In a significant development aimed at enhancing maritime cooperation and regional security, the Coast Guards of India, Japan, the United States, and Australia have launched the inaugural 'QUAD at Sea Ship Observer Mission' under the Wilmington Declaration. This initiative represents a new phase in QUAD collaboration, with two officers, including women officers, from each country currently on board the US Coast Guard Cutter (USCGC) Stratton as it sails to Guam.

This pioneering cross-embarkation mission seeks to improve joint readiness, interoperability, and maritime domain awareness within the Indo-Pacific region. It aligns with the collective commitment of the QUAD nations to maintain a Free, Open, Inclusive, and Rules-Based Indo-Pacific, as highlighted during the QUAD Leaders’ Summit in September 2024.

India’s participation in this mission is consistent with its SAGAR (Security and Growth for All in the Region) doctrine and supports its efforts under the Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative (IPOI). This focuses on capacity-building, humanitarian assistance, and upholding maritime law. The initiative is anticipated to lay the groundwork for future collaborative structures, possibly leading to a formalized 'QUAD Coast Guard Handshake.'

The observer mission not only fortifies multilateral connections among the four nations but also underscores their shared vision of regional stability and cooperative maritime governance in response to the changing security landscape in the Indo-Pacific region.