The Quadrilateral Security Dialogue, commonly known as the Quad, is celebrating two decades of collaboration among Australia, India, Japan, and the United States.
Established in the aftermath of the devastating 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami, the Quad has grown into a key platform promoting stability and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region.
In a joint statement commemorating this milestone, the Quad Foreign Ministers highlighted their steadfast commitment to ASEAN’s centrality and unity.
They underscored the group’s enduring dedication to addressing the challenges faced by the region while maintaining a shared vision of peace and progress.
The statement reflected on the origins of the Quad, recalling its formation in response to one of history's most catastrophic natural disasters. Over 40,000 emergency responders from the four nations came together to assist millions of affected people.
The Quad honoured the memories of those who were lost while acknowledging the survivors of the tragedy.
Humanitarian assistance and disaster relief have remained at the core of the Quad’s mission. The grouping emphasised its readiness to respond swiftly and effectively to disasters across the region, a commitment that continues to define its purpose.
Over the years, the Quad has expanded its focus to address a range of regional and global issues. Recent initiatives include efforts to combat climate change, enhance maritime domain awareness, counter terrorism, and strengthen cybersecurity.
The promotion of STEM education and other capacity-building measures have also become integral to its agenda.
The statement acknowledged the evolution of the Quad from an emergency response mechanism to a comprehensive partnership delivering meaningful outcomes for the Indo-Pacific.
It also noted the annual meetings of the Quad leaders since 2021, which have helped shape the grouping’s contributions across South Asia, Southeast Asia, and the Pacific.
The Quad reaffirmed its unwavering support for regional organisations, including ASEAN, the Pacific Islands Forum, and the Indian Ocean Rim Association. It recognised the significance of these institutions in fostering stability and prosperity in the region and emphasised respect for Pacific-led frameworks.
In 2024, the Quad announced several key maritime security initiatives aimed at enhancing regional cooperation. The Maritime Initiative for Training in the Indo-Pacific, or MAITRI, was launched to help regional partners secure and monitor their waters.
India is set to host the first MAITRI workshop in 2025, marking an important step in this initiative.
The group also introduced a logistics network pilot project to improve airlift capacities for civilian disaster responses. Additionally, a maritime legal dialogue was initiated to uphold a rules-based order in the Indo-Pacific, ensuring compliance with international norms.
The Wellington Declaration, issued earlier this year during the Quad’s fourth in-person summit, raised concerns about aggressive actions in the maritime domain. While no specific nation was named, it was widely seen as a reference to China’s activities in the South China Sea.
Another significant initiative launched this year was the Quad Cancer Moonshot, which aims to combat cervical cancer. India pledged substantial support through testing kits and technical assistance, while the other member nations committed additional resources to advance the programme.
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