Overview of the Summit

The Quad (Australia, India, Japan, and the U.S.) will hold their fourth summit in Wilmington, Delaware, on September 21, 2024. This marks a significant milestone in the strategic partnership of these four nations, symbolizing a full-circle moment since the first in-person summit hosted by U.S. President Joe Biden in 2021. The meeting takes place during a time of global challenges, leadership transitions, and on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) and the Summit of the Future.

Significance of Leadership Transitions

Both President Joe Biden and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida face political changes. Biden has announced that he will not seek re-election, and Japan’s ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) under Kishida is confronting a possible political defeat. These transitions highlight the urgency of consolidating the Quad''s strategic goals before leadership dynamics change.

India’s Role in Deferring to the U.S.

India was originally scheduled to host this year’s summit but deferred the hosting to the U.S., aligning with practical needs due to Biden’s packed election cycle after his recent visit to India for the G-20 summit. India will now host the next Quad summit.

Quad''s Indo-Pacific Strategy and Maritime Domain Awareness (MDA)

A key goal of the summit is to strengthen the Quad’s maritime domain awareness (MDA) framework, crucial for integrating regional security, supply chains, infrastructure, and technological initiatives. The Quad Foreign Ministers’ July 2024 meeting in Tokyo announced an expansion of the Indo-Pacific Partnership for Maritime Domain Awareness (IPMDA) to the Indian Ocean region, aiming to standardize regional laws and ensure accountability for maritime norm violations.

UNCLOS and Freedom of Navigation

The United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) remains a foundation for ensuring freedom of navigation and operational capabilities. The Wilmington summit will likely explore launching the Quad Maritime Legal Dialogue to provide robust legal frameworks, benefitting not only Quad members but also other regional countries.

India’s Role in the South Asia Program

India’s Information Fusion Centre for the Indian Ocean Region (IFC-IOR) is pivotal for real-time information sharing, reflecting India’s expanding leadership role in the MDA. IFC-IOR currently hosts 12 international liaison officers, furthering international cooperation for a free and open Indo-Pacific.

 Key Focus Areas of the Summit

The Quad has a broad agenda spanning 16 working groups addressing issues such as:

• Climate Change
• Critical and Emerging Technologies
• Infrastructure and Connectivity
• Health, Humanitarian Assistance, and Disaster Relief
• Maritime Security
• Counterterrorism

Operational and Technological Initiatives

The summit will focus on reviewing several initiatives, including:

1. Open-Radio Access Network (RAN) deployment in Palau.
2. The development of a space-based climate warning system in Mauritius.
3. Advancement of off-grid solar projects in Indo-Pacific islands.
4. Outcomes of the Quad’s first STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) cohort.

Evolving Role of the Quad Amid Geopolitical Shifts

The Quad is increasingly playing a key role in ensuring regional peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific amidst shifting geopolitical landscapes. This is particularly relevant as regional supply chains and infrastructure networks adapt to the rise of hostile actors and ongoing conflicts such as the Russia-Ukraine war, and instability in West Asia.

China''s Assertiveness and Security Challenges

China’s increasingly assertive behavior, which often breaches international norms, has amplified security challenges in the Indo-Pacific. The Quad sees a pressing need for a united response, enhancing regional security and promoting economic resilience through diversified supply chains. The global supply chain restructuring, particularly away from reliance on China, presents an opportunity for the Quad to strengthen regional economies.

Outlook of the Quad and the Global Governance Framework

The Quad summit is seen as a precursor to the United Nations Summit of the Future, which seeks to reform global governance and address critical issues like sustainable development, peace, security, and technological advancement. In this regard, the Quad already reflects a regional microcosm of global aspirations for cooperation and stability.

Future Initiatives

As the Quad continues to mature, this summit provides an opportunity to review its progress and lay the groundwork for future initiatives, especially in relation to international metrics on similar global issues.

 Conclusion

The Quad summit in Wilmington signifies an important moment for the evolving partnership between Australia, India, Japan, and the U.S. Against the backdrop of changing global and regional dynamics, the summit aims to strengthen the Quad’s role in promoting peace, security, and economic resilience in the Indo-Pacific region.