QUAD at Sea Ship Observer Mission

GS2 – International Relations

Context

India, along with the United States, Japan, and Australia, launched the first-ever ‘QUAD at Sea Ship Observer Mission’ to enhance coast guard coordination across the Indo-Pacific region.

Background & Objectives

• Wilmington Declaration: This initiative was introduced as part of the Wilmington Declaration adopted during the 2024 QUAD Summit. It institutionalizes coast guard cooperation among QUAD nations.
• Alignment with SAGAR Vision: The mission is aligned with India’s SAGAR (Security and Growth for All in the Region) strategy, which emphasizes regional cooperation, capacity building, and maritime security.

Significance

• This is the first observer-level collaboration among the coast guards of all four QUAD countries.
• Demonstrates QUAD’s united commitment to uphold a Free, Open, Inclusive, and Rules-Based Indo-Pacific.
• Strengthens joint maritime readiness through:
  • Enhanced interoperability
  • Improved domain awareness
  • Operational coordination

Outcome & Future Roadmap

• The mission fostered trust-building and laid the foundation for the QUAD Coast Guard Handshake.
• QUAD Coast Guard Handshake: A proposed institutional framework for continued cooperation via regular exchanges, standard operating procedures, and joint protocols.