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Picture Courtesy:  THE HINDU

Context:

U.S. clears $131 Million maritime tech sale to India to boost Indo-Pacific surveillance under Quad's IPMDA initiative.

Proposed Sale

• SeaVision software: A web-based tool that tracks ships in real-time, detects suspicious activities, and improves maritime security. It includes software upgrades customized for India’s needs.
• Training and support: U.S. experts provide Technical Assistance Field Team (TAFT) training, remote analytic support, and access to SeaVision documentation.
• Logistics: Additional services ensure smooth integration of the system into India’s navy.

The Quad and IPMDA Initiative

The Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (Quad) is a strategic forum between the United States, India, Japan, and Australia. It was originally established in 2007 and later revitalized as a response to growing Chinese influence in the Indo-Pacific region.

In May 2022, at the Tokyo summit, the Quad announced the Indo-Pacific Maritime Domain Awareness (IPMDA) initiative. This initiative aims to:

• Track "dark shipping" (vessels that turn off identification systems).
• Build a "faster, wider, and more accurate maritime picture" in near-real-time.
• Integrate three critical regions: Pacific Islands, Southeast Asia, and Indian Ocean Region (IOR).
• Strengthen cooperation among like-minded nations in the region
• Secure critical sea lines of communication.

Strategic Significance for India

• Strengthens India's maritime security posture in the Indo-Pacific
• Advances the operational capabilities of the Quad alliance
• Demonstrates U.S. commitment to India as a "major defense partner"
• Enhances regional capacity to monitor and respond to maritime threats

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Indo-Pacific Maritime Domain Awareness (IPMDA) 

Source: 

THE HINDU