On September 21, 2024, leaders from the United States, India, Australia, and Japan gathered in Wilmington, Delaware, for the Quad Leaders’ Summit. As the global landscape becomes more volatile, the Quad nations reinforced their commitment to fostering a free, open, and prosperous Indo-Pacific region. Although the summit primarily focused on cooperation, China’s increasingly aggressive behavior remained an underlying theme throughout the discussions.

Who Are the Quad Members?

The Quadrilateral Security Dialogue, or Quad, is an alliance between four major democratic nations: the United States, India, Australia, and Japan. The Quad was initially formed in 2007 but dissolved shortly after due to diplomatic protests from China. However, the group was revived in 2017 in response to growing security concerns in the Indo-Pacific region, particularly regarding China’s rising influence. Since then, the alliance has grown stronger, and the Wilmington summit was a testament to its growing importance in regional and global diplomacy.

While the Quad does not officially target any one nation, its efforts are often viewed as a counterbalance to China’s ambitions in the Indo-Pacific. As U.S. President Joe Biden remarked, the Quad is “here to stay,” and its purpose is to “assist, to partner, and to complement” efforts toward peace and stability in the region.

Key Decisions from the Summit

The Quad leaders announced a series of initiatives aimed at strengthening cooperation in areas such as health, infrastructure, and maritime security. These decisions reflect the alliance’s broader goal of maintaining stability and economic growth in the region.

1. Health Initiatives: One of the summit’s most significant commitments came in the form of a $7.5 million pledge from India to provide HPV sampling kits, detection tools, and cervical cancer vaccines to countries in the Indo-Pacific. The initiative, known as the “Quad Cancer Moonshot,” is a groundbreaking public health partnership aimed at saving lives across the region.
2. Maritime Security: In response to increasing tensions in the Indo-Pacific’s waters, the Quad announced the first-ever “Quad-at-Sea Ship Observer Mission,” set to take place in 2025. This initiative is designed to improve coordination between Coast Guards from the four nations, enhancing maritime safety and ensuring that the region remains free from coercion and aggressive actions.
3. Ports of the Future Partnership: To address the growing need for resilient infrastructure, the Quad leaders launched the “Ports of the Future Partnership,” which will focus on strengthening port infrastructure across the Indo-Pacific. This partnership aims to safeguard critical supply chains from disruptions caused by pandemics, natural disasters, or cyberattacks.
4. Semiconductor Supply Chain Security: Recognizing the global demand for semiconductors, the Quad nations agreed to form a contingency network to stabilize and diversify semiconductor supply chains. This move is seen as essential to reducing dependency on a single source, particularly given China’s dominance in this sector.

These initiatives illustrate the Quad’s shared commitment to fostering a stable, rules-based order in the Indo-Pacific. However, the elephant in the room was unmistakably China, whose aggressive behavior in the region has alarmed its neighbors and global powers alike.

China’s Aggression: The Unspoken Focus

Though China was not mentioned explicitly in the summit’s official statements, the Quad’s discussions and initiatives were clearly shaped by Beijing’s assertive stance in the region. For years, China has engaged in territorial disputes, particularly in the East and South China Seas, where it has clashed with nations such as the Philippines and Japan. These maritime areas, rich in resources and strategically important, have become flashpoints for broader geopolitical tensions.

In their joint statement, the Quad leaders expressed “serious concern about the militarization of disputed features and coercive and intimidating maneuvers in the South China Sea.” They condemned the “dangerous use of coast guard and maritime militia vessels” and called for peaceful resolution of disputes in accordance with international law. Referring to the 2016 Arbitral Award favoring the Philippines, the leaders reaffirmed that the South China Sea should remain a shared and open space, not subject to unilateral control.

The Quad’s stance on China’s maritime claims was clear: adherence to international law, particularly the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), is non-negotiable. “We reaffirm that maritime disputes must be resolved peacefully and in accordance with international law,” the statement emphasized.

Biden’s Hot Mic Moment: Revealing the True Concerns

In what was supposed to be a private remark, President Joe Biden was caught on a hot mic telling the Quad leaders that China was “testing us all across the region.” This candid comment laid bare the underlying concern of the summit: China’s growing assertiveness is a pressing challenge that all four nations must confront.

Biden went on to elaborate, saying, “We believe Xi Jinping is looking to focus on domestic economic challenges and minimize the turbulence in China, but he continues to behave aggressively, testing us on several fronts.” Biden’s reference to China’s actions in the South China Sea, East China Sea, and the Taiwan Straits highlighted the wide-ranging nature of Beijing’s territorial ambitions. Despite recent efforts to ease tensions through diplomatic talks, Biden noted that China’s long-term strategy remains focused on expanding its influence, often at the expense of its neighbors.

While Biden’s remarks were off-the-record, they captured the sentiment shared by the Quad nations: China’s aggressive posture cannot be ignored. As Biden noted, “Intense competition requires intense diplomacy.”

India’s Modi on the Quad’s Purpose

Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s remarks at the summit struck a careful balance between cooperation and firmness. While avoiding direct criticism of China, Modi emphasized that the Quad’s mission is not aimed at any particular country. “We are not against anybody,” he said. “All of us support a rules-based international order, respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity, and peaceful resolution of all disputes.”

Modi reiterated that the Quad is founded on democratic values, making it a vital force for stability in a world fraught with tension. He underscored the importance of the Indo-Pacific region, describing it as a shared priority for all Quad members. “A free, open, inclusive, and prosperous Indo-Pacific is our shared priority and commitment,” Modi added. His remarks highlighted India’s position as a regional leader, committed to working with global powers to ensure peace and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific.

A Stronger U.S.-India Partnership

In addition to the broader Quad discussions, Modi and Biden held a one-on-one meeting in Biden’s hometown of Delaware. This was the eighth meeting between the two leaders in the last four years, underscoring the deepening ties between India and the United States. Biden described the U.S.-India partnership as “stronger, closer, and more dynamic than any time in history.”

Both leaders highlighted their shared democratic values and the growing strategic alignment between their countries. Modi expressed his gratitude to Biden for strengthening the India-U.S. relationship, which has evolved into a comprehensive global strategic partnership. Modi’s visit came just months after his state visit to the U.S. in June 2023 and Biden’s participation in the G20 summit in India in September 2023, further deepening the ties between the two nations.

Looking Forward: The Quad’s Role in a Changing World

As the summit drew to a close, the Quad leaders reaffirmed their commitment to the alliance’s long-term goals. President Biden stated confidently, “While challenges will come, the world will change, but the Quad is here to stay.” This sentiment was echoed by Modi, who pledged that the Quad would continue to be a force for stability and cooperation in the Indo-Pacific.

Looking ahead, the Quad will face challenges, particularly as the geopolitical landscape evolves and China continues to assert itself. However, the commitments made at the 2024 Quad summit, from health initiatives to maritime security, demonstrate that the alliance is prepared to adapt and respond to the needs of the region. With India set to host the next Quad summit in 2025, the group’s future looks bright, even in the face of rising global tensions.

ACZ Editor: It is tough to say how this group will hang together should China become more provocative, but it remains a vehicle for coordination among these states. While Australia and Japan are staunch allies, India has played both sides on occasion. Relations need to be strengthened, both politically and economically.