What 3 major decisions were taken in the Delhi meeting of QUAD – Maritime Security, Minerals and Energy? What changes will Indo-Pacific maritime surveillance and Common Operating Picture bring? What is the purpose of Critical Minerals Framework and Energy Security Initiative? Will this cooperation strengthen regional security and global energy stability?
New Delhi: A historic meeting of the foreign ministers of the Quad countries was concluded today in the Indian capital New Delhi to write a new chapter of peace and security in the strategically very sensitive Indo-Pacific region. India’s Foreign Minister S. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong and Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi participated in this meeting chaired by Jaishankar. The three member countries have announced three unprecedented and major decisions for the security of the region amid the growing influence of China and the recent tension with Iran in the Strait of Hormuz.
1. Preparations to encircle China in the sea!
Announcing the first and major outcome of the meeting, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar said that together the four countries are taking the ‘Indo-Pacific Maritime Surveillance Initiative’ to a new level. Under this, a ‘common operating picture’ will be prepared to keep an eye on every suspicious activity happening inside the sea. The Quad countries will now constitute a special ‘expert panel’ for the security and development of port infrastructure. Under this, work will be started on a pilot port project in Fiji and all four countries will also work together for the safety of undersea cables.
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2. Secret plan based on ‘Critical Minerals Framework’
Another very secret and far-reaching decision was taken in this meeting to strengthen its control over the global technology and electronics market. India and the US have officially signed the ‘India-US Critical Minerals Framework’. Under this agreement, the supply chain of rare and critical minerals (such as lithium, cobalt) used in semiconductors, smartphones and defense equipment will be secured.
3. Energy Security Challenge: Will the Hormuz Tension Change the Game?
The current military tensions with Iran in the Middle East and attacks on ships in the Strait of Hormuz have put the energy security of the entire world at risk. In view of this global crisis, Quad has announced a new and comprehensive initiative related to ‘Indo-Pacific Energy Security’. Under this initiative, the four countries will use modern technology, policy management, international market analysis and joint response exercises to deal with emergency energy crises.
With ‘TRUST’ initiative: Relationships will change with strategic technology
In the background of this meeting, it was also agreed to further strengthen the ‘TRUST’ (Transforming the Relationship Utilizing Strategic Technology) initiative between India and America. Through this initiative, both the countries will share their technological capabilities in the most important and sensitive areas of the future such as semiconductors, Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Biotechnology, so that they remain at the forefront and secure in the emerging technologies across the world.