Quad plans joint patrols in Indo-Pacific to counter illegal fishing where China’s influence growing

Japan, the United States, Australia and India plan to launch joint patrols to monitor vessels in the Indo-Pacific, diplomatic sources said on Sunday, in the latest effort by the Quad group to counter illegal fishing in waters where China’s influence is growing.

The plan involving the four countries’ coastguards is expected to be included in a joint statement to be issued at a Quad summit on Saturday in the United States, along with projects to improve regional telecommunications and collaborate on steps to tackle cancer, according to the sources.

The gathering in Delaware, US President Joe Biden’s home state, is likely to be the last Quad summit for Biden and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, both outgoing leaders. Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi are also set to join.

The Biden administration has been pushing to elevate and institutionalise the Quad, widely seen as a counter to Beijing’s increasing military and economic influence in the Indo-Pacific region. The meeting’s agreements are intended to help solidify the group’s expanding cooperation across successive governments.

The envisaged first ship observer mission could take place next year, with members of the Japan Coast Guard and its Australian and Indian peers boarding a US Coast Guard vessel, according to the sources.