Quad Boosts Digital Infrastructure, Security Cooperation

The recent Quad Leaders’ Summit, held in Wilmington, Delaware, reinforced the importance of Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) in building a secure, inclusive, and interoperable digital ecosystem. The leaders of Australia, India, Japan, and the United States highlighted several key principles for developing and deploying DPI, such as inclusivity, interoperability, scalability, security, privacy, and human rights protection. These principles aim to ensure fair competition, innovation, and trust within the digital space, and they form the foundation for more effective public service delivery.

Additionally, the Quad emphasized the role of DPI in advancing the UN’s 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, highlighting its potential to narrow digital divides, particularly in the Indo-Pacific region. The Quad’s commitment to transparency, grievance redress mechanisms, and the protection of intellectual property are crucial to fostering trust in digital systems.

Also read: PM Modi in US: Indo-Pacific Cooperation, Trust, Growth, Unity

This summit, viewed as a significant moment in the alliance, also touched on pressing geopolitical concerns. The Quad leaders addressed issues such as China’s aggressive maritime activities in the South China Sea and the need for enhanced cooperation in maritime security. Notably, the Quad announced joint coast guard initiatives to combat illegal fishing and promote peace in the region​