What's happened
Leaders of the Quad alliance—Japan, the US, Australia, and India—are set to announce joint coast guard patrols in the Indo-Pacific during a summit in Delaware on September 21. This initiative aims to combat illegal fishing and counter China's growing influence in the region.
Why it matters
What the papers say
According to The Independent, the upcoming summit in Delaware will focus on strengthening the Quad's strategic convergence, with joint patrols aimed at illegal fishing and regional security. White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre emphasized the importance of personal relationships among the leaders, stating, 'This will be President Biden’s first time hosting foreign leaders in Wilmington as president.' Meanwhile, the South China Morning Post highlighted that the patrols are part of a broader strategy to counter China's influence, noting that the Quad's agreements are intended to solidify cooperation across successive governments. The contrasting perspectives from these sources underline the significance of the Quad's actions in the context of rising geopolitical tensions in the Indo-Pacific.
How we got here
The Quad, originally formed in 2007 for humanitarian aid, was revitalized in 2017 as a strategic alliance to address China's rising power. The upcoming summit marks a significant moment as it may be the last for outgoing leaders Biden and Kishida.
Common question
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What Are the Goals of the Quad Leaders' Joint Patrols in the Indo-Pacific?
The upcoming joint patrols by the Quad alliance—comprising Japan, the US, Australia, and India—mark a significant step in addressing regional security and countering illegal activities. As these leaders prepare to announce their strategy during the summit in Delaware, many questions arise about the implications of this initiative and its impact on China's influence in the region.
More on these topics
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Joseph Robinette Biden Jr. is an American politician who is the 46th and current president of the United States. A member of the Democratic Party, he served as the 47th vice president from 2009 to 2017 and represented Delaware in the United States Senate
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Narendra Damodardas Modi is an Indian politician serving as the 14th and current Prime Minister of India since 2014. He was the Chief Minister of Gujarat from 2001 to 2014, and is the Member of Parliament for Varanasi.
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Fumio Kishida is a Japanese politician and the former Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan from 2012 to 2017. He is a member of the House of Representatives and the Liberal Democratic Party.
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The Quadrilateral Security Dialogue is an informal strategic forum between the United States, Japan, Australia and India that is maintained by semi-regular summits, information exchanges and military drills between member countries.
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China, officially the People's Republic of China, is a country in East Asia. It is the world's most populous country, with a population of around 1.4 billion in 2019.
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Australia, officially known as the Commonwealth of Australia, is a sovereign country comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands.
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The United States of America, commonly known as the United States or America, is a country mostly located in central North America, between Canada and Mexico.
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India, officially the Republic of India, is a country in South Asia. It is the second-most populous country, the seventh-largest country by land area, and the most populous democracy in the world.
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Japan is an island country of East Asia in the northwest Pacific Ocean. It borders the Sea of Japan to the west and extends from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south.