Description

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Context:

India, along with Japan, the US, and Australia, has launched the first-ever ‘QUAD at Sea Ship Observer Mission’ under the Wilmington Declaration to boost maritime coordination in the Indo-Pacific.

About the Sea Ship Observer Mission:

Aspect	Details
What is it?	A multilateral maritime cooperation initiative enabling observer-level cross-embarkation of officers from QUAD nations on each other’s coast guard vessels.
Launched by	QUAD Coast Guards under the Wilmington Declaration of the QUAD Leaders’ Summit (2024)
Countries Involved	- India – Indian Coast Guard (ICG) - Japan – Japan Coast Guard (JCG) - United States – US Coast Guard (USCG) - Australia – Australian Border Force (ABF)
Objectives	- Strengthen maritime interoperability - Boost maritime domain awareness - Support rules-based international maritime order - Promote gender inclusion - Deepen QUAD maritime synergy
Key Features	- First-ever cross-deployment of coast guard officers among QUAD members - Focus on HADR (Humanitarian Assistance & Disaster Relief) and capacity-building - Promotes India’s SAGAR and IPOI maritime visions - Symbolizes regional preparedness amid complex maritime threats
Strategic Relevance	Enhances QUAD’s non-military maritime cooperation and regional trust-building, while reinforcing India’s Indo-Pacific leadership role.

Wilmington Declaration:

Theme	Key Initiatives & Highlights
Indo-Pacific & Maritime Security	- Reaffirmed commitment to a Free, Open, Inclusive, and Rules-Based Indo-Pacific - Launched QUAD At Sea Ship Observer Mission - Initiated MAITRI for interoperability and maritime domain awareness
Infrastructure & Connectivity	- Launched Quad Logistics Network - Introduced Ports of the Future Partnership - Expanded fellowships to 2,200+ experts
Technology & Cybersecurity	- Strengthened cooperation on semiconductors, supply chains, and cybersecurity- Operationalized Quadrilateral Information-Sharing Network (QUIN)
Climate, Space & People-to-People Ties	- Rolled out Q-CHAMP (Quad Climate Change Adaptation & Mitigation Package) - Promoted Earth Observation for disaster response - Expanded Quad Fellowship for future science and policy leaders

ALSO READ- https://www.iasgyan.in/daily-current-affairs/quad-46

Source: The Hindu

PRACTICE QUESTION

Q. Discuss the strategic significance of the ‘QUAD at Sea Ship Observer Mission’ in enhancing maritime security and regional cooperation in the Indo-Pacific. (150 words).