Biden Hosts Quad Leaders to Strengthen Maritime Security

Australia, India, Japan, and the US work together to enhance security in Asia's waters, focusing on coast guard operations to address worries about China.

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Leaders from Australia, India, Japan, and the United States are joining forces to make the seas safer in Asia, where a lot of trade happens. This meeting took place as outgoing US President Joe Biden hosted the leaders of the Quad group, created to tackle shared concerns about China.

On Saturday, Biden met with Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese near his home in Delaware. 

During this meeting, Biden says how important the Quad is, seeing it as a big success in his foreign policy. He will leave office after the US presidential election on November 5.

Joint Coast Guard Operations Announced

The leaders announced they would start joint coast guard operations next year. This means people from Australia, Japan, and India will work together on a US coast guard ship. 

The countries also plan to improve military cooperation, but they didn’t say where this will happen. They will also expand a partnership called the Indo-Pacific Partnership for Maritime Domain Awareness, which started two years ago.

Addressing Concerns About China

The White House said the Quad summit is not aimed at any other country and hopes China will not see it as a threat. However, Biden began the meeting by talking about China’s actions. 

In a statement, the leaders criticized "coercive and intimidating maneuvers in the South China Sea," without naming China directly.

Experts believe these new security plans send a message to China, showing that leaders are worried about its actions. Chinese President Xi Jinping has claimed that the Quad is trying to surround China and cause problems.

Biden pointed out that while China is changing how it acts, its main goals are still the same. He noted that China keeps testing the US in the South and East China Seas and in the Taiwan Strait.

Concerns About North Korea and Russia

The leaders also shared worries about North Korea’s recent missile launches and its cyber activities. They criticized these actions in a joint statement and showed concern over Russia's support for North Korea.

To help Pacific Islands and Southeast Asia, the Quad nations are working together to provide important technologies, including a new open radio access network. They also announced a health program aimed at fighting cervical cancer in the region.

India's Position in the Quad

Lisa Curtis, an expert on Asia, said that India has been careful about being seen as part of a military alliance. But recent aggressive actions by China might change India’s mind and make it more open to working with the Quad.

Analysts believe Biden’s hosting of the Quad is part of a plan to strengthen the group before he leaves office. Kishida will step down after an upcoming leadership contest, and elections are expected in Australia next year. When asked about the future of the Quad, Biden confidently said that the group is here to stay.

Importance of Coast Guard Cooperation

Albanese called the Quad’s coast guard plan "very important." He mentioned that having personnel from all four countries on a single ship would help them work together better.

Before the summit, Albanese met with Biden to discuss teamwork between their countries in defense and security, especially in the Indo-Pacific region.

The Quad has been active at the foreign minister level since the previous administration under Donald Trump. Trump is currently running against Vice President Kamala Harris in the upcoming election. 

The Quad has enjoyed support from both political parties, as shown by the formation of a congressional Quad Caucus before this summit. Biden raised the group’s status to a leaders' level in 2021, making it an important part of international relations in the area.