Biden Expands Quad Maritime Cooperation in Latest Summit

President Joe Biden reportedly held what could be his final Quad summit on Saturday, bringing together the leaders of Australia, India and Japan near his hometown of Delaware. Reuters Agency.

Biden has invited Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida to his beloved alma mater Archmere Academy for a strategic dialogue on global issues, a cornerstone of his foreign policy.

The summit expanded joint security measures in trade-rich Asian waters, responding to growing concerns about China’s assertive behavior in the region. As Biden prepares to leave office after the upcoming presidential election, he is said to be keen to cement the group’s legacy and ensure its continuity after his term ends.

“This will last well beyond November,” Biden told the leaders, grabbing Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi by the arm to emphasize his words, according to Associated Press Press Agency.

Reuters Agency reports that the most important achievement of the summit was the announcement of joint coast guard operations planned for next year.

The move will reportedly see personnel from Australia, Japan and India serving aboard U.S. Coast Guard ships, a clear sign of deepening military cooperation among the Quad nations. Officials did not comment on where the Coast Guard operations would take place.

In addition to the coast guard initiative, the leaders reportedly pledged to expand the Indo-Pacific Partnership for Maritime Domain Awareness, a program launched two years ago. These measures, while not explicitly aimed at any country, reportedly send a message to Beijing about the Quad’s commitment to maintaining a free and open Indo-Pacific.

The summit’s joint statement, while carefully avoiding direct mention of China, condemned “coercive and intimidating maneuvers in the South China Sea.”

Biden, in remarks broadcast on the event’s official channel, shared his assessment of Chinese President Xi Jinping’s strategy, according to reports. “We think Xi Jinping wants to focus on domestic economic challenges and minimize turbulence in China’s diplomatic relations,” Biden said. He added that Xi is also trying to “buy himself some diplomatic space, in my view, to aggressively pursue China’s interests.”

The Quad’s focus on maritime security marks a shift from its original emphasis on economic cooperation and pandemic response. The shift reportedly reflects growing concern among member states about China’s intentions in the South China Sea, the East China Sea and the Taiwan Strait.

The summit also addressed other regional issues, including North Korea’s ballistic missile program and cybersecurity threats. The leaders reaffirmed their commitment to providing key technologies to Pacific Island nations and Southeast Asian countries, areas where China is expanding its influence.

Australian Prime Minister Albanese has reportedly called the Quad coastguard plan “very important”, highlighting the benefits of improved interoperability between the four nations’ navies. Reuters AgencyJapanese Prime Minister Kishida, who is set to step down following the upcoming leadership contest, expressed his appreciation for the meeting, reportedly calling it his last visit as prime minister.

The elevation of the Quad summits to leadership status under the Biden administration is a significant achievement in American foreign policy.

Newsweek reached out to a Biden spokesman by email on Saturday for additional comment.