India, the US, Australia and Japan came together 20 years ago to extend assistance in response to the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami. File
| Photo Credit: AP

India and other Quad member nations on Tuesday (December 31, 2024) renewed their firm commitment to work towards a free and open Indo-Pacific that is peaceful, stable and prosperous.

The Foreign Ministers of the member nations of the grouping made the pledge in a joint statement commemorating the 20th anniversary of Quad cooperation.

The Foreign Ministers said the Quad will work together in responding to the future needs of the Indo-Pacific, an assertion that came against the backdrop of China’s increasing muscle-flexing in the region.

India, the US, Australia and Japan came together 20 years ago to extend assistance in response to the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami. The coalition is now known as Quad.

“As four partners, we share a vision of a free and open Indo-Pacific that is peaceful, stable and prosperous, underpinned by effective regional institutions,” the joint statement said.

The Quad Foreign Ministers also talked about the centrality of the 10-nation grouping Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in the Indo-Pacific.

“We reaffirm our unwavering support for ASEAN’s centrality and unity as well as mainstreaming and implementation of the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific,” the Ministers said.

“We respect Pacific-led regional architecture, foremost the Pacific Islands Forum. We are also steadfast in our support for the Indian Ocean Rim Association, the region’s premier organisation,” they said.

“The Quad is committed to working together in responding to the future needs of the region,” they added.

The Quad Foreign Ministers also referred to the Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami and how the four countries came together to respond to the challenges.

“The tsunami was one of the worst disasters in history, claiming the lives of nearly a quarter million people and displacing 1.7 million across 14 countries,” they said.

“Together our four countries contributed over 40,000 emergency responders, working with other partners across the Indo-Pacific region to support millions of people affected by the catastrophe.”

In the statement, the Ministers further noted that the foundational commitment of the four nations to humanitarian assistance and disaster relief remains strong.

“We continue to work side-by-side to prepare for and respond quickly and effectively to disasters across the region,” they said.

“In 2024, our four countries collectively supported disaster preparedness and life-saving relief efforts across the Indo-Pacific and we continue to build on those efforts to identify new ways to respond rapidly to humanitarian crises and disasters,” they added.

U.S. Ambassador to India, Eric Garcetti, visited the ISRO headquarters on Friday and held discussion with ISRO Chairman Somanath.
| Photo Credit: Handout E Mail

U.S. Ambassador to India Eric Garcetti has proposed to develop a “QUAD satellite” involving the partnership of India and the U.S.

During his official trip to Bengaluru on Friday, he visited the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) headquarters and met with Chairman S Somanath and discussed the ongoing cooperation between India and the U.S. in the field of space.

In a statement, the space agency said the U.S. Ambassador proposed the development of a “QUAD satellite”.

During the meeting, the ISRO chairman pointed to the opportunity to develop advanced detectors and packaging technologies with U.S.-India academic institutions.

He also emphasised the importance of building and standardising docking interfaces across human space programs to enable the utilization of space platforms by other countries and joining hands to build a navigation system on the Moon, either in orbit or on the surface.

Taking to ‘X’, Mr. Garcetti on Saturday shared how he was honoured to meet the ISRO Chairman and how they were committed to further strengthening the partnership between India and the United States in the field of space.

“Honored to meet @ISRO Chairman Dr S Somanath and team! From advancing #NISAR satellite to fostering human spaceflight and promoting commercial space endeavours, the #USIndiaSpace commitment stands strong and is advancing our shared goals within the #USIndia Initiative on Critical and Emerging Technology,” he said.

According to ISRO, the discussions that followed highlighted both countries’ mutual interests and shared goals in advancing space science, technology, and the space economy.

Ongoing associations through various Joint Working Groups, Artemis Accord, NISAR, and the use of the Laser Reflectometer Array on Chandrayaan-3 also figured in the discussions.

Mr. Garcetti also inquired about the role played by the Department of Space in fostering commercial space activities.

Chairman Somanath elaborated on this, saying that for the first time, payload technology and space-bound hardware are being built in Indian facilities that are outside ISRO labs.

ISRO plans to source payloads and satellites for its programmes from Indian companies and enable them to enter the global market.

Other talks included NASA’s participation in India’s proposal for a G-20 satellite for environment and climate change, and encouragement of cooperation between commercial companies from both countries for quicker and more effective outcomes, Gaganyaan cargo module as an option for transfer of cargo to ISS.

The Ambassador expressed his admiration for ISRO’s accomplishments and its role in global space exploration.

The meeting also touched upon future programmes, including the exchange visits of both sides’ professionals, continuation of balloon experiments, and identifying milestone events.