The Indian Coast Guard has stepped up maritime cooperation with its Quad partners, with ICG Ship Shaunak sailing from Chennai for Perth on Friday as part of the Quad-at-Sea Ship Observer Mission.
Six officers from the four Quad countries have embarked on the vessel as "Sea Riders" for the mission — two each from India and Japan, and one each from Australia and the United States. They will take part in shipboard activities and professional exchanges aimed at improving interoperability, coordination and mutual understanding among the four maritime forces.
A practical step for the Indo-Pacific
The mission is in line with the Quad Foreign Ministers' Joint Statement of May 26, 2026, which reiterated the four countries' commitment to a free, open, inclusive and rules-based maritime order in the Indo-Pacific.
The deployment also reflects India's MAHASAGAR vision — Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth Across Regions — and the Coast Guard's emphasis on strengthening professional linkages and collective maritime engagement with partner countries.
Deepening maritime ties
The Shaunak mission comes as the four Quad countries seek to deepen practical cooperation in the Indo-Pacific, including through greater interaction and interoperability among their maritime forces.
Sources: https://bharatshakti.in/icg-ship-shaunak-sails-for-australia-with-quad-officers-aboard/
Six officers from the four Quad countries have embarked on the vessel as "Sea Riders" for the mission — two each from India and Japan, and one each from Australia and the United States. They will take part in shipboard activities and professional exchanges aimed at improving interoperability, coordination and mutual understanding among the four maritime forces.
A practical step for the Indo-Pacific
The mission is in line with the Quad Foreign Ministers' Joint Statement of May 26, 2026, which reiterated the four countries' commitment to a free, open, inclusive and rules-based maritime order in the Indo-Pacific.
The deployment also reflects India's MAHASAGAR vision — Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth Across Regions — and the Coast Guard's emphasis on strengthening professional linkages and collective maritime engagement with partner countries.
Deepening maritime ties
The Shaunak mission comes as the four Quad countries seek to deepen practical cooperation in the Indo-Pacific, including through greater interaction and interoperability among their maritime forces.
Sources: https://bharatshakti.in/icg-ship-shaunak-sails-for-australia-with-quad-officers-aboard/