Quad grouping 

• The grouping of four democracies – India, Australia, US and Japan – known as the quadrilateral security dialogue or quad, was first mooted by former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe in 2007. Quad was revived in 2017. 
• The QUAD partners share a commitment towards a free, open, prosperous and inclusive Indo-Pacific region based on shared values and principles and respect for international law. 
• There is a focus on practical cooperation in the areas of connectivity and infrastructure development, and counter-terrorism, cyber security, maritime security, humanitarian and disaster relief, with the objective of promoting peace, security, stability and prosperity in an increasingly inter-connected Indo-Pacific region. 
• With growing concerns in all four quad countries about Chinese foreign policy and regional influence, the group has found renewed relevance.

Why in News?

• • Top leaders of Quad participated in the annual Quad summit hosted by US President Joe Biden and unveiled major steps to expand maritime security cooperation in the Indo-Pacific.
  • A key outcome of the summit was a decision on having joint coast guard operations under which a first-ever “Quad-at-Sea” ship observer mission will be launched in 2025 to advance maritime safety and to continue with further missions in future across the Indo-Pacific. 
  • The leaders also announced a new regional Maritime Initiative for Training in the Indo-Pacific (MAITRI), to enable partners to maximize tools provided through Indo-Pacific Maritime Domain Awareness (IPMDA) and other Quad initiatives. 

• The IPMDA was announced in 2022 that allowed the partner countries to fully monitor the waters on their shores and help ensure peace and stability in the region Under the initiative, data is being supplied for countering illicit maritime activities and responding to climate-related and humanitarian events. 

• The initiative is aimed at monitoring and securing waters, enforcing laws, and deter unlawful behaviour. 
• The leaders also announced the launch of a Quad Indo-Pacific Logistics Network pilot project, to pursue shared airlift capacity among the nations and leverage collective logistics strengths, in order to support civilian response to natural disasters across the Indo-Pacific region. 

https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/defence/quad-unveils-new-security-measures-amid-shared-concerns-over-chinas-military-posturing-in-indo-pacific/articleshow/113575437.cms