Former Indian Diplomat Lauds Quad Leaders' Move to Expand Maritime Awareness to Indian Ocean

Ex-Ambassador Meera Shankar commends Quad leaders for extending maritime domain awareness to the Indian Ocean. This expansion addresses concerns over Chinese military incursions and signifies Quad's long-term commitment. Shankar highlights the importance of resilient supply chains and the ongoing strategic partnership between India and the US.

Former Indian Ambassador to the United States, Meera Shankar, praised the decision by Quad leaders on Sunday to expand their maritime domain awareness program to the Indian Ocean. This effort comes amid rising concerns over increased Chinese military activity in the region. Shankar emphasized that Quad is a long-term initiative, stating, "It is here to stay."

Shankar highlighted the significance of this development for India, especially given the escalation of Chinese incursions near Indian territories. She noted, "They have extended the maritime domain awareness programs to the Indian Ocean. This is crucial for India, as we've witnessed growing Chinese military presence close to our borders."

During the Quad Leaders' Summit, a new regional Maritime Initiative for Training in the Indo-Pacific (MAITRI) was announced. This initiative aims to equip regional partners with tools to secure their waters and enforce maritime laws. Additionally, the Quad leaders introduced a maritime legal dialogue to uphold rules-based maritime order and discussed creating resilient supply chains to avoid disruptions like those experienced during the COVID-19 pandemic.

(With inputs from agencies.)