On December 31, 2024, the Quad nations—India, Australia, Japan, and the United States—celebrated the 20th anniversary of their cooperation. This partnership began in response to the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami, one of the worst disasters in history, which claimed nearly a quarter million lives and displaced 1.7 million people across 14 countries.
The Quad's origins lie in disaster relief, with over 40,000 emergency responders from these countries aiding the affected regions. Over the years, the Quad has evolved into a strategic partnership focused on a free, open, and prosperous Indo-Pacific region.
In a joint statement, the Secretary of State of the United States and the Foreign Ministers of Australia, India, and Japan emphasized their commitment to humanitarian assistance and disaster relief. They highlighted their ongoing efforts in disaster preparedness and rapid response to humanitarian crises.
The Quad now addresses complex challenges such as climate change, pandemics, infrastructure, and cybersecurity. Since 2021, the leaders of these nations have met annually to enhance their contributions across South Asia, Southeast Asia, and the Pacific.
The Quad reaffirms its support for ASEAN's centrality and the Indian Ocean Rim Association, aiming for a peaceful, stable, and prosperous Indo-Pacific. The partnership continues to adapt to the region's future needs.
The Quad Nations are a group of four countries: India, Australia, Japan, and the United States. They work together on important issues like security and development in the Indo-Pacific region.
The 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami was a huge ocean wave caused by an earthquake under the sea. It affected many countries, including India, and led to a lot of damage and loss of life.
A strategic partnership is when countries work together on important issues to achieve common goals. For the Quad, this means working on things like security, climate change, and technology.
The Indo-Pacific is a region that includes the Indian Ocean and the Pacific Ocean. It is important for trade and security, and many countries, including India, are part of this region.
ASEAN stands for the Association of Southeast Asian Nations. It is a group of countries in Southeast Asia that work together to promote peace and economic growth in the region.
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