Our message is clear, Quad is here to stay: PM Modi at Leaders' Summit
Other Quad measures announced included a Maritime Initiative for Training in the Indo-Pacific that will give countries of the region “near-real-time, cost-effective, cutting-edge radio frequency data, enabling them to better monitor their waters; counter illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing; respond to climate change and natural disasters; and enforce their laws within their waters”. These were announced after the summit attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi along with Australian PM Anthony Albanese, Japanese PM Fumio Kishida and hosted by US President Joe Biden at his hometown of Wilmington.
Foreign secretary Vikram Misri said later at a special media briefing at Wilmington that Mr Modi had characterised the Quad at the summit as "Quick Unified Assistance Delivery" (for Indo-Pacific nations). Mr Modi said “that when the Quad acts, it is not just for nations, it is for people and that is the true essence of its human-centric approach”.
In a veiled reference to China, Mr Modi said that the Quad is “not against anyone” but rather stands for a “rules-based order and peaceful resolution of issues”. China’s military assertiveness in the region and escalating tensions between it and some Asean nations also figured in the deliberations at the Quad summit between the four leaders.
The Wilmington Declaration sent a thinly-veiled stern message to China: “We emphasise the importance of adherence to international law, particularly as reflected in the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), to address challenges to the global maritime rules-based order, including with respect to maritime claims. We are seriously concerned about the situation in the East and South China Seas. We continue to express our serious concern about the militarisation of disputed features, and coercive and intimidating maneuvers in the South China Sea. We condemn the dangerous use of coast guard and maritime militia vessels, including increasing use of dangerous manoeuvres.”
Media reports from Wilmington said President Biden, in an apparent gaffe, was heard on the microphone saying that China continues to “behave aggressively, testing us all across the region on several fronts, including on economic and technology issues”. The comments were not meant for the media, and were recorded on a live microphone. The ageing US President also reportedly went blank after forgetting which Quad leader he was to invite to speak. “Who am I introducing next?” he reportedly mumbled, before saying sharply: “Who’s next?” As his aides swung into action, Mr Modi was then invited by the moderator to make his remarks.
The Wilmington Declaration, issued by the four nations jointly after the summit ended, said “four years since elevating the Quad to a leader-level format, the 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”.
Stating that it “intends to continue with further missions in the Indo-Pacific”, the Quad also announced its first-ever “Quad-at-Sea Ship Observer Mission” in 2025 to "improve interoperability and advance maritime safety" wherein Coast Guards of India, Australia and Japan “will spend time on board a US Coast Guard vessel operating in the Indo-Pacific”. Also launched on Sunday was a Quad Indo-Pacific Logistics Network pilot project, to pursue shared airlift capacity among the four nations and leverage collective logistics strengths, in order to support civilian response to natural disasters more rapidly and efficiently across the Indo-Pacific region.
On the effects of the Russia-Ukraine conflict, the four leaders said: “We stand for adherence to international law and respect for principles of the UN Charter, including territorial integrity, sovereignty of all states, and peaceful resolution of disputes. We express our deepest concern over the war raging in Ukraine including the terrible and tragic humanitarian consequences. Each of us has visited Ukraine since the war began, and seen this first-hand; we reiterate the need for a comprehensive, just, and lasting peace in line with international law, consistent with the purposes and principles of the UN Charter, including respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity. We also note the negative impacts of the war in Ukraine with regard to global food and energy security, especially for developing and least developed countries.”
On climate and clean energy, the Quad said: “We are pleased to announce a focused Quad effort to boost energy efficiency, including the deployment and manufacturing of high-efficiency affordable, cooling systems to enable climate-vulnerable communities to adapt to rising temperatures while simultaneously reducing strain on the electricity grid.” Also, India will spend $2 million in setting up new solar projects in (Pacific nation) Fiji, (and Indian Ocean nations) the Comoros islands, Madagascar and Seychelles.
A statement issued by New Delhi said Mr Modi thanked President Biden “for hosting the Summit and for his personal commitment to strengthen the Quad as a force for global good”. Mr Modi added “that at a time when the world is ridden with tensions and conflicts, the coming together of Quad partners, with shared democratic ethos and values, is important for humanity” and that “a free, open, inclusive and prosperous Indo-Pacific was a shared objective of the Quad partners”.
Speaking later at the Quad Cancer Moonshot event hosted by President Biden on the sidelines of the summit, Mr Modi said the “programme will go a long way in providing affordable, accessible and quality healthcare to people in Indo-Pacific countries”. He noted that India was also undertaking a mass cervical cancer screening programme in the country and thar the country has developed a cervical cancer vaccine and was working on an artificial intelligence-based treatment protocol for the disease. India will also offer technical assistance to interested countries in the Indo-Pacific region “for cancer screening, care and continuum through its $10 million contribution to WHO’s Global Initiative on Digital Health”.
