QUAD At Sea Ship Observer Mission | 01 Jul 2025

Source: PIB 

Why in News? 

The Coast Guards of QUAD nations (India, Japan, the United States, and Australia) launched the ‘QUAD At Sea Ship Observer Mission’ in line with the Wilmington Declaration (2024) adopted during the 6th QUAD Summit (4th in-person Quad Leaders' Summit) held in Delaware, USA. 

What is QUAD At Sea Ship Observer Mission? 

• About: It is a first-of-its-kind maritime cooperation initiative aimed at strengthening interoperability, maritime domain awareness (MDA), and operational coordination to uphold a rules-based order in the Indo-Pacific.  
  • As part of the cross-embarkation initiative, officers, including women officers, are deployed aboard partner nations’ Coast Guard vessels (currently the USCGC Stratton, sailing to Guam).  
• Objective: The mission focuses on joint training in Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), patrolling, and search and rescue (SAR) operations, while promoting maritime diplomacy, gender inclusion, and aligning with India’s SAGAR Vision, MAHASAGAR Doctrine (Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth Across Regions) and the Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative (IPOI). 

What is the Wilmington Declaration? 

• About: The Wilmington Declaration is a joint statement adopted at the QUAD Leaders’ Summit held in Wilmington, USA, in September 2024.  
  • It outlines the QUAD’s shared vision for a Free, Open, Inclusive, and Rules-Based Indo-Pacific, reaffirming the grouping as a “force for good”, highlighting deeper alignment on strategic, security, health, technological, and economic cooperation across the region. 
• Key Highlights of Declaration 
  • Indo-Pacific & Maritime Security: Reaffirmed commitment to a free, open Indo-Pacific, launched QUAD At Sea Ship Observer Mission and MAITRI for interoperability and maritime domain awareness. 
  • Infrastructure & Connectivity: Initiated Quad Logistics Network, Ports of the Future Partnership, and expanded fellowships to 2,200+ experts. 
  • Technology & Cybersecurity: Strengthened cooperation on semiconductors, supply chains, and cybersecurity through Quadrilateral Information-Sharing Network (QUIN). 
  • Climate, Space & People-to-People Ties: Implemented Q-CHAMP (Quad Climate Change Adaptation & Mitigation Package), promoted Earth Observation for disaster response, and expanded Quad Fellowship for leadership in science and policy. 

What is the QUAD? 

• About: The Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (QUAD) is a strategic forum comprising India, Australia, Japan, and the United States, aimed at ensuring peace, stability, and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region.  
  • It promotes a free, open, inclusive, and rules-based order, while enhancing regional resilience and cooperation. 

• Origin: The Quad originated in the aftermath of the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami, where India, Japan, the US, and Australia coordinated humanitarian assistance.  
  • It was formally proposed in 2007 by Japanese PM Shinzo Abe, but became inactive following Australia’s withdrawal in 2008 due to Chinese pressure. The dialogue was revived in 2017 amid rising concerns over China’s assertiveness in the Indo-Pacific, leading to the first Leaders’ Summit in 2021. 
• Objectives: It aims to address regional and global challenges through cooperation in health, climate and clean energy, infrastructure, emerging technologies, cybersecurity, maritime security, counter-terrorism, and Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR). 
• Expansion Potential: “QUAD-plus” meetings have included nations like South Korea, New Zealand, and Vietnam, indicating potential for future expansion.