First-ever in-person Quad Summit

In News 

• Recently, the Quad Leaders Summit was hosted by the United States of America(USA).

Major Points of Summit

• Towards Afghanistan and Terrorism: 
  •  Quad nations announced to closely coordinate diplomatic, economic, and human-rights policies towards Afghanistan and deepen their counter-terrorism and humanitarian cooperation in accordance with United Nations Security Council 2593 (a resolution passed on August 30, when India held the presidency of the Council). 
  • They reaffirm that Afghan territory should not be used to threaten or attack any country or to shelter or train terrorists or to plan or finance terrorist acts.
• European Union: 
  • The Quad also declared its support for the European Union’s September 2021 Indo Pacific Strategy. 
    • The announcement earlier this month of a U.S., Australia, U.K. security partnership in the Indo Pacific (‘AUKUS’) had gone down badly with France, a key EU nation. 

• North Korea: 
  • The Quad called on North Korea to engage in substantive dialogue and for “an end to the violence in Myanmar.” 
    • It declared its support for the early restoration of democracy in Myanmar and the release of all political detainees, including foreigners.
• Climate Change: 
  • Quad countries share a serious concern with the August Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change’s report findings on the latest climate science, which has significant implications for climate action. 
  • Quad countries intend to “update or communicate ambitious NDCs (Nationally Defined Contributions, i.e., climate action targets) “ before COP26.
    • It says countries will work with the “intent” to get to net-zero emissions “preferably” by 2050 “taking into account national circumstances.”
    • India has not yet made formal commitments for COP26 or committed to achieving ‘net zero’ by 2050.

• Vaccine supply: 
  • India would begin supplying Johnson & Johnson/Janssen COVID-19 vaccines, with 8 million doses being made available by the end of October from (Telangana-based) pharma company Biological E Ltd.

• New infrastructure partnership: 
  • The Quad launched a new infrastructure partnership – which would involve mapping the region’s infrastructure needs and providing technical assistance and evaluation tools for projects. 

• It would work with the Blue Dot Network – a U.S., Australia and Japan’s private sector-led infrastructure effort in the region to counter China’s Belt and Road Initiative.

• Critical and Emerging Technologies:

• Quad leaders are committed to working together to foster an open, accessible, and secure technology ecosystem. They have organized work around four efforts: 
  • Technical standards, 5G diversification and deployment, horizon-scanning, and technology supply chains. 

• Indo-Pacific region: 
  • India, the US and several other world powers have been talking about the need to ensure a free, open and thriving Indo-Pacific in the backdrop of China’s rising military manoeuvring in the region.
  • It should be free from coercion and disputes should be solved in accordance with international law. 
• People-to-People Exchange and Education: 
  • Quad partners are proud to announce the Quad Fellowship: a first-of-its-kind scholarship program, operated and administered by a philanthropic initiative and in consultation with a non-governmental task force composed of leaders from each Quad country. 
• Cybersecurity: 
  • The Quad will launch new efforts to bolster critical-infrastructure resilience against cyber threats by bringing together the expertise of our nations to drive domestic and international best practices. 
  • The Quad will Launch a Quad Senior Cyber Group.
• Space: 
  • Quad countries are among the world’s scientific leaders, including in space. The Quad will begin space cooperation for the first time with a new working group. 
  • The Quad will Share Satellite Data to Protect the Earth and its Waters:

Source: TH