The leaders of Australia, India, Japan, and the United States, known as the Quad group, announced new security initiatives in the Indian Ocean during a meeting hosted by outgoing U.S. President Joe Biden. They expanded the Indo-Pacific Partnership for Maritime Domain Awareness in the Indian Ocean region and planned joint coast guard operations. The leaders emphasized the importance of the Quad in addressing shared concerns about China, discussing providing security technologies to Southeast Asia and Pacific islands.
During initial remarks before the meeting, officials were caught on hot mics discussing China, with Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Biden noting China’s aggressive behavior in the region. Despite his private assumptions on Xi Jinping’s motivations, Biden emphasized the importance of diplomacy and conflict prevention in the face of intense competition.
Analysts suggested that the new maritime security initiatives would signal a message to Beijing amidst growing concerns over China’s intentions. The hosting of the Quad summit by Biden reflected efforts to institutionalize the group before his departure from office, providing a strategic alignment among the Quad partners. The focus on security issues, particularly for India, demonstrates a shift towards greater openness to Quad security cooperation due to China’s recent maritime aggression.
Australia and the United States voiced concerns about China’s security ambitions in Pacific islands, highlighting the need for support in the region, including action on climate change and energy security. Overall, the Quad leaders aim to show their commitment to providing public goods in the Indo-Pacific and assert the longevity and strategic importance of the partnership.
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