Even as New Delhi works to consolidate a diplomatic thaw with Beijing, the Quad has advanced towards operationalising a logistics network designed to expedite humanitarian and disaster-relief operations across the Indo-Pacific.

Australia, India, Japan and the United States recently concluded a tabletop exercise in Tokyo aimed at driving forward the Quad Indo-Pacific Logistics Network. According to the Ministry of External Affairs, the four nations achieved significant progress in finalising standard operating procedures to establish a formal institutional framework for the network.

The drill, hosted by Japan’s Ministry of Defence on 3 and 4 September, centred on simulated natural-disaster scenarios. Officials assessed methods for pooling logistical assets from all four partners to enhance coordination and interoperability.

This exercise followed the initial IPLN tabletop drill in Hawaii in April last year and a subsequent field training exercise in Guam in December. Alongside logistical planning, delegations discussed coordinating crisis-response and emergency relief efforts, while extending condolences to populations affected by recent flooding.

The IPLN was originally introduced as a civilian initiative at the Quad leaders’ summit in September 2024. It harnesses the logistics resources of the four countries strictly for humanitarian assistance and disaster relief purposes.

The Tokyo exercise took place immediately after Prime Minister Narendra Modi met Chinese President Xi Jinping in New Delhi on the sidelines of the BRICS summit. The encounter marked Xi’s first visit to India in seven years.

During the talks, Prime Minister Modi stressed that maintaining peace and tranquillity along the border is fundamental to restoring bilateral normalcy, emphasising adherence to established agreements and mutual understandings. Beijing, however, advocated for parallel progress, suggesting that bilateral cooperation should advance concurrently with efforts to resolve the boundary dispute.

Both governments noted the continued utility of active diplomatic and military mechanisms, referencing the 25th round of Special Representatives’ talks held on 25 August and senior commander-level flag meetings on 6 and 7 September.

While the Quad consistently maintains that it is not a military alliance, focusing instead on maritime security, critical technologies and humanitarian assistance, Beijing has repeatedly characterised the coalition as an exclusive bloc designed for containment. New Delhi firmly rejects this perspective.

The conclusion of the Tokyo drill coincides with a broader sequence of bilateral defence engagements involving India and the other three Quad member states, underscoring the coalition’s expanding operational depth.

ANI