At the Quad Leaders’ Summit held in Wilmington, Delaware, on September 21, 2024, key initiatives were announced that strengthen the partnership between India, the US, Japan, and Australia. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, along with President Joe Biden, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese of Australia, and Prime Minister Fumio Kishida of Japan, discussed critical global and regional challenges. The Quad reaffirmed its commitment to maintaining a free, open, and inclusive Indo-Pacific, with a shared focus on democratic values and global security.
One of the major highlights of the summit was the “Quad Cancer Moonshot” initiative, a groundbreaking project aimed at combating cervical cancer across the Indo-Pacific. Modi announced India’s pledge of USD 7.5 million towards cancer testing, screening, and diagnostics in the region, furthering India’s commitment to the vision of “One World, One Health.” This initiative aligns with the broader goal of improving healthcare across the Indo-Pacific by leveraging each nation’s strengths
The summit also launched the “Maritime Initiative for Training in the Indo-Pacific” (MAITRI), focusing on enhancing maritime security and the region’s ability to tackle challenges such as illegal fishing and maritime domain awareness. Another significant announcement was the first-ever “Quad-at-Sea Ship Observer Mission,” set to take place in 2025. This initiative aims to improve interoperability and promote safety in the region’s waters(PM India).
Further bolstering economic resilience, the leaders introduced a “Semiconductor Supply Chains Contingency Network Memorandum of Cooperation” to strengthen supply chains in the region, which is vital for the development of emerging technologies. The “Quad Ports of the Future Partnership” was also launched, aiming to promote sustainable and resilient port infrastructure development, which will support both regional growth and environmental sustainability
The Quad also reiterated its focus on climate change, with initiatives aimed at boosting energy efficiency, particularly through the deployment of high-efficiency affordable cooling systems. Additionally, India announced a space-based web portal for Mauritius to monitor extreme weather events, underscoring the Quad’s shared interest in using technology to mitigate climate impacts.
As the Quad continues to address development priorities in the Indo-Pacific, it remains committed to being a “force for global good,” particularly in areas like healthcare, digital public infrastructure, and climate action. India is set to host the next Quad Leaders’ Summit in 2025, continuing its leadership role in this influential alliance(Telegraph India).
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