HIGHLIGHTS OF QUAD SUMMIT

Last Updated on 23rd September, 2024
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	HIGHLIGHTS OF QUAD SUMMIT

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Context:

The Prime Minister of India participated in the 6th Quad Leaders’ Summit in Delaware, United States.

About QUAD

The Quadrilateral Security Dialogue, also known as the Quad, is a strategic partnership between four major democracies: India, Australia, Japan, and the United States. It aims to improve security, promote stability, and maintain an open Indo-Pacific region.

In 2007, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe formally proposed the Quad, highlighting the significance of a democratic alliance in the region. However, initial enthusiasm decreased due to Chinese opposition and India's reluctance, resulting in a pause in official negotiations.

The Quad was revived during the 2017 ASEAN Summits when the four nations resumed dialogue. This resulted in the Quad being elevated to ministerial status in September 2019, reflecting its growing importance.

Key Objectives

The Quad's main objective is to ensure secure and open maritime routes in the Indo-Pacific, while also addressing threats to freedom of navigation. The organisation seeks to safeguard stability by encouraging democratic governance and protecting international law.

The Quad partners work together on critical global challenges like climate change, pandemic response, and disaster relief. The alliance promotes economic cooperation, to increase participating nations' trade, investment, and supply chain resilience.

Key outcomes of the QUAD Leaders Summit 2024

The Quad leaders signed the Quad Wilmington Declaration to achieve their shared objectives. This proclamation emphasises their commitment to a free, open, and inclusive Indo-Pacific area.  India will host the next Quad Leaders’ Summit in 2025.

The Quad leaders announced the Maritime Initiative for Training in the Indo-Pacific (MAITRI) to assist regional partners in effectively applying tools from the Indo-Pacific Maritime Domain Awareness (IPMDA) and other Quad efforts. This initiative aims to improve monitoring, security, and law enforcement in regional waters while discouraging unlawful activity. India will host the first MAITRI workshop in 2025.

The Quad Cancer Moonshot is a new initiative focused on lowering the cancer burden in the Indo-Pacific. Building on their COVID-19 collaboration, this effort combines collective investments, scientific skills, and contributions from the corporate and non-profit sectors.

In 2025, the US, Japan, Australia, and Indian Coast Guards will set off on the first Quad-at-Sea Ship Observer Mission. This mission seeks to improve marine safety and cooperation among the Quad nations.

The Quad Ports of the Future Partnership initiative seeks to utilise the Quad's collective expertise to promote sustainable and resilient port infrastructure development throughout the Indo-Pacific.

The leaders initiated a Quad Indo-Pacific logistical Network pilot project to share airlift capacity and exploit their combined capabilities. This program will allow faster and more efficient civilian responses to natural disasters in the Indo-Pacific region.

The Quad leaders signed a Memorandum of Cooperation on a Semiconductor Supply Chain Contingency Network to strengthen their semiconductor supply chains and assure stability and security in this significant industry. The Quad aims to improve energy efficiency by deploying and manufacturing high-efficiency, affordable cooling systems in the Indo-Pacific.

INDIA-USA bilateral meeting outcome 

During the Prime Minister's recent visit to the United States, 297 Indian antiques were returned to India. This handover brings the overall number of artefacts recovered since 2014 to 640.

The United States and India are strengthening their bilateral connections to increase their technical, financial, and policy support to increase manufacturing capacity for renewable energy technologies. They intend to secure $1 billion through the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD). This financing will assist projects that will help India create its domestic clean energy supply chain.

They announced a collaboration to build a semiconductor fabrication plant to increase India's semiconductor production capability. This factory will strengthen India's position in the global semiconductor supply chain.

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Source:

Indian Express

Ministry of External Affairs

PRACTICE QUESTION

Q.Consider the following statements about the Pacific Islands Forum:

1. The secretariat of the Pacific Islands Forum is situated in Suva, Fiji.

2. The forum also includes countries outside the Pacific, such as the United States and China.

3. Oil drilling is the region's principal economic activity.

How many of the above statements are correct?

A) Only one

B) Only two

C) All three

D) None

Answer:  A

Explanation:

Statement 1 is correct:

The Pacific Islands Forum's Secretariat is located in Suva, Fiji. This organization is crucial in fostering cooperation and addressing regional issues among its 18 member countries and territories.

Statement 2 is incorrect:

The Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) is an intergovernmental organization with 18 member countries and territories in the Pacific Ocean region. These members collaborate to solve regional concerns and foster collaboration on various fronts, including climate change, economic development, and security.

The Forum works with countries beyond the region on problems like climate change and international commerce, but these countries do not have membership status.

Statement 3 is incorrect:

Certain Pacific Island countries have oil reserves, but the region's economies are mostly driven by tourism, fishing, and agriculture. These sectors are critical to their economic stability and growth.

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