The U.S., Japan, India, and Australia—collectively known as the “Quad” nations—have committed to launching joint coast guard patrols in the Indo-Pacific by 2025.
Formally referred to as the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue, the Quad was established in 2007 to promote a free and open Indo-Pacific region grounded in international law, particularly the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.
This initiative marks the first-ever “Quad-at-Sea Ship Observer Mission,” focused on monitoring illegal fishing activities to enhance interoperability and maritime safety.
The mission is a new component of the Quad’s ongoing efforts, including the 2022 Indo-Pacific Partnership for Maritime Domain Awareness, which aims to improve monitoring in their exclusive economic zones from Southeast Asia to the Indian Ocean.
Quad-at-Sea Ship Observer Mission
While specific locations for the mission have not been disclosed, some experts suggest that operations may begin in the South and East China Seas, given the ongoing territorial and maritime disputes with China.
Miwa Hirono, a professor at Ritsumeikan University and expert in international relations, noted that the presence of foreign fishing vessels raises questions about sovereignty in each country’s economic exclusion zone, particularly in the South China Sea. He also emphasized the tactics employed by Chinese civilian fishing fleets, which operate in a gray area between peace and conflict without constituting armed attacks.
Eric Heginbotham, a principal research scientist at MIT’s Center for International Studies, remarked that while illegal fishing is a broader issue, these joint coast guard efforts will demonstrate to China and the international community that neither the South China Sea nor other areas in the Indo-Pacific are under China’s exclusive control.
Raji Pillai Rajagopalan, a geopolitics expert at the Australian Strategic Policy Institute, stated that this mission signifies a shift towards greater cooperation among Quad nations, regardless of where it takes place.
Quad vs. China
Beijing perceives the Quad as a strategy to contain China and uphold U.S. hegemony. China’s Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian criticized the summit, saying that while the U.S. claims it is not targeting China, discussions overwhelmingly focused on it.
During the Quad meeting, U.S. President Joe Biden was overheard on a hot mic discussing China’s aggressive behavior, prompting concern among leaders including Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida.
The Joint Declaration from the meeting expressed serious concern regarding the militarization of disputed areas and coercive maneuvers in the East and South China Seas. “We condemn the dangerous use of coast guard and maritime militia vessels, including increasing dangerous maneuvers,” the leaders stated.
This maritime security cooperation is a key focus area, alongside climate change, health, critical and emerging technologies, and space, as highlighted during the Quad Leaders’ Summit in Delaware on September 21, 2024.
