Quad’s Wilmington Declaration: United Stand On Indo-Pacific Stability, Bold Moves Against China

The 4th Quad Summit, hosted by US President Joe Biden in his hometown of Wilmington, Delaware, sent a clear message to China about maintaining peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region. In a joint statement, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, Japanese Prime Minister Kishida Fumio, and President Biden emphasized upholding the international order based on the rule of law. The Wilmington Declaration strongly opposed any unilateral actions to alter the status quo through force or coercion. The Quad also announced a new Maritime Initiative for Training (MAITRI) in the Indo-Pacific, set to enhance maritime security and law enforcement. India will host the first MAITRI workshop in 2025, and the coast guards of the four nations will launch the inaugural Quad-at-Sea Ship Observer Mission that same year. During the summit, President Biden was overheard commenting on China’s aggressive behaviour, further reinforcing the Quad’s united stance. PM Modi affirmed that the Quad is here to stay, promoting a rules-based order and peaceful Indo-Pacific. Modi’s visit also saw strengthened India-US ties, with plans to set up a national security semiconductor plant, highlighting growing cooperation between the two nations.