Quad Strengthens Disaster Response with Innovative Logistics Exercise

The Quad nations, comprising Australia, India, Japan, and the United States, recently convened in Hawaii to engage in a 'tabletop exercise' aimed at advancing their shared vision for logistics coordination. This initiative is part of a broader effort to boost civilian disaster response across the Indo-Pacific region.

Held at the Asia-Pacific Center for Security Studies from April 28 to May 2, the exercise sought to operationalize the Quad Indo-Pacific Logistics Network (IPLN). According to the Ministry of External Affairs, this network is designed to enhance the partners' ability to deploy logistics support for natural disaster responses more swiftly and effectively.

The Quad partnership, originally formed in response to the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami, exemplifies a concerted effort to ensure a 'free and open Indo-Pacific.' This recent exercise underscores the coalition's ongoing commitment to addressing regional challenges through enhanced cooperation.

(With inputs from agencies.)