President Joe Biden convened what could be his final Quad summit on Saturday, hosting the leaders of Australia, India, and Japan at his alma mater, Archmere Academy, near Wilmington, Delaware. The gathering focused on bolstering the Quad alliance, a significant element of Biden’s foreign policy approach.
With his tenure nearing its end, Biden aimed to ensure the Quad’s ongoing relevance, stressing its importance to the Indo-Pacific region’s stability and security. He expressed confidence that the alliance would persist beyond his presidency, emphasizing this point during conversations with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
One of the key outcomes of the summit was the announcement of joint Coast Guard operations set to begin next year, involving personnel from Australia, Japan, and India aboard U.S. Coast Guard vessels. This move signifies a deepening of military collaboration within the Quad, particularly in maritime security, an area of increasing concern.
While officials did not disclose the specific locations of these operations, the initiative underscores the Quad’s focus on ensuring safety and freedom in Asia’s trade-critical waters.
Biden Hosts Final Quad Summit, Launches Joint Coast Guard Operations to Boost Indo-Pacific Security
Although the official summit statement carefully avoided naming China directly, it condemned coercive actions in the South China Sea, clearly referencing Chinese activities in the region.
Biden also offered insights into Chinese President Xi Jinping’s current strategy, suggesting Xi is focusing on stabilizing domestic economic issues while managing diplomatic relationships. However, Biden noted that China’s long-term ambitions, particularly in the South China Sea and Taiwan Strait, remain a significant concern for Quad members.
The leaders also discussed broader regional security challenges, including North Korea’s ballistic missile program and the growing threat of cyberattacks.
Additionally, the Quad reaffirmed its commitment to supporting Pacific Island nations and Southeast Asia with critical technologies, aiming to counterbalance China’s increasing influence in these regions. This reflects the Quad’s evolving role from focusing on economic cooperation to tackling security and technological issues, particularly in the Indo-Pacific.
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese highlighted the importance of the Quad’s coast guard initiative, seeing it as a major step toward improving maritime force cooperation among member nations.
Meanwhile, Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, attending his last summit before stepping down, expressed gratitude for the collaboration, viewing the meeting as a meaningful capstone to his leadership. Under Biden’s administration, the Quad has grown into a leader-level dialogue, marking a significant achievement in U.S. foreign policy aimed at maintaining regional peace and stability.
