Despite uncertainty around the proposed November summit, Quad cooperation remains intact, with this month’s agenda centered around counterterrorism initiatives.
The programme includes a technical exchange on how terrorists misuse Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) drones and a seminar focused on curbing the use of new technologies for terror-financing and other extremist activities. India has noted US ambassador-designate Sergio Gor’s remarks during his confirmation hearing that President Donald Trump remains committed to convening Quad leaders and strengthening the grouping of Australia, India, Japan and the US as a safeguard for a free and open Indo-Pacific.
Trump’s push to repair ties with China through a potential trade deal has raised concerns about the Quad’s momentum, though the foreign ministers of the four nations have already met twice since his return to office.
The technical exchange on misuse of drones will be conducted by the National Security Guard (NSG) on Sept 23-24 at the NSG Garrison in Manesar. "The exercise will focus on identification of evolving UAS, framework for international cooperation by sharing best practices, subject matter expert exchange and refined national level policies for countering terrorist use of UAS or drones," a source told Times of India.
For India, keeping counterterrorism high on the Quad agenda is crucial, as reflected in the grouping’s strong condemnation of the April 22 Pahalgam attack during the foreign ministers’ meeting in Washington in July. While India would have liked a swifter response in the days that followed the attack but the fact that the condemnation eventually came in the strongest possible terms and called for the "perpetrators, organizers, and financiers of this reprehensible act to be brought to justice without any delay" was significant for India.
The Quad seminar on terrorist exploitation of new and emerging technology will be hosted by the NIA on Sept 26. It will address, according to official sources, emerging threat from terrorists by exploitation of new emerging technologies such as AI, blockchain, cryptocurrencies, deepfake technologies, encrypted chat platform and metaverse. "It aims to strengthen countermeasures against these threats, collaboration among Quad members through intelligence sharing, capacity building and engaging institutions and research organisations to develop safeguard against misuse by terrorists," the source said, as per TOI.
Looking to boost India-Pacific security and prosperity, Quad will also formally launch its Ports of the Future Partnership next month with India hosting a transportation and logistics conference in Mumbai. According to a White House factsheet, the initiative will complement the work Quad partners have done to boost infrastructure expertise across the Indo-Pacific region through the Quad Infrastructure Fellowships Program. While basic Quad cooperation continues, bilateral defence collaboration with the US seems to have escaped unscathed from the downturn in India-US ties.
(With TOI inputs)
The programme includes a technical exchange on how terrorists misuse Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) drones and a seminar focused on curbing the use of new technologies for terror-financing and other extremist activities. India has noted US ambassador-designate Sergio Gor’s remarks during his confirmation hearing that President Donald Trump remains committed to convening Quad leaders and strengthening the grouping of Australia, India, Japan and the US as a safeguard for a free and open Indo-Pacific.
Trump’s push to repair ties with China through a potential trade deal has raised concerns about the Quad’s momentum, though the foreign ministers of the four nations have already met twice since his return to office.
The technical exchange on misuse of drones will be conducted by the National Security Guard (NSG) on Sept 23-24 at the NSG Garrison in Manesar. "The exercise will focus on identification of evolving UAS, framework for international cooperation by sharing best practices, subject matter expert exchange and refined national level policies for countering terrorist use of UAS or drones," a source told Times of India.
For India, keeping counterterrorism high on the Quad agenda is crucial, as reflected in the grouping’s strong condemnation of the April 22 Pahalgam attack during the foreign ministers’ meeting in Washington in July. While India would have liked a swifter response in the days that followed the attack but the fact that the condemnation eventually came in the strongest possible terms and called for the "perpetrators, organizers, and financiers of this reprehensible act to be brought to justice without any delay" was significant for India.
The Quad seminar on terrorist exploitation of new and emerging technology will be hosted by the NIA on Sept 26. It will address, according to official sources, emerging threat from terrorists by exploitation of new emerging technologies such as AI, blockchain, cryptocurrencies, deepfake technologies, encrypted chat platform and metaverse. "It aims to strengthen countermeasures against these threats, collaboration among Quad members through intelligence sharing, capacity building and engaging institutions and research organisations to develop safeguard against misuse by terrorists," the source said, as per TOI.
Looking to boost India-Pacific security and prosperity, Quad will also formally launch its Ports of the Future Partnership next month with India hosting a transportation and logistics conference in Mumbai. According to a White House factsheet, the initiative will complement the work Quad partners have done to boost infrastructure expertise across the Indo-Pacific region through the Quad Infrastructure Fellowships Program. While basic Quad cooperation continues, bilateral defence collaboration with the US seems to have escaped unscathed from the downturn in India-US ties.
(With TOI inputs)
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