Quad unveils $85 million AI plan, $10 million minerals recycling commitment and maritime initiatives
The second Quad-at-Sea Ship Observer mission sailed from Chennai to Perth between September 25 and October 7.
Published: Oct 31, 2026, 10:40 PM IST
| Updated: Oct 31, 2026, 10:46 PM IST
The second Quad-at-Sea Ship Observer mission sailed from Chennai to Perth between September 25 and October 7.
India and its Quad partners have announced plans to provide more than $85 million in technical and financial assistance to expand access to trusted artificial intelligence (AI) across the Indo-Pacific, alongside a US commitment of $10 million towards critical minerals recycling facilities in India and Southeast Asia.
The four countries also unveiled plans for a business leaders’ forum, efforts to identify vulnerabilities in semiconductor supply chains and fresh maritime cooperation initiatives. They pledged to dismantle cyber scam operations and raised concerns over economic coercion and arbitrary export restrictions.
The announcements followed a meeting in Atlanta between External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi and Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong.
Their joint statement outlined cooperation across economic security, technology, maritime activities and disaster response. A separate account released by Japan detailed discussions on regional tensions and North Korea.
Quad expands trusted AI and semiconductor cooperation
The ministers expressed their intention to provide more than $85 million in technical and financial assistance to promote access to trusted technology, including through the Quad SI Accelerator.
The statement used the term “Super Intelligence”, with a footnote clarifying that it referred to artificial intelligence in Australia, India and Japan. It highlighted the technology’s importance to future economic growth, alongside initiatives such as Pax Silica.
The statement did not specify how much each country would contribute or how the assistance would be distributed.
The Quad partners will also work to identify potential bottlenecks in semiconductor and AI supply chains before they cause disruptions. They stressed the importance of maintaining secure and trusted supplies of advanced semiconductors and AI hardware.
Cooperation will extend to identifying priority countries for projects involving 5G, 6G, Open Radio Access Networks and AI-enabled radio access networks. The partners plan to develop a pipeline of trusted 5G projects and explore further collaboration on AI-enabled networks.
Work will also continue to map digital identity standards to facilitate cooperation between public and private sectors. Senior Quad cyber officials met this month and pledged further support for a trusted and resilient cybersecurity environment.
US commits $10 million to critical minerals recycling
The ministers welcomed a US commitment of $10 million to support infrastructure and facilities in India and ASEAN countries that recover critical minerals from waste.
The four countries are working to extract minerals from discarded electronics and scrap to reduce dependence on any single supplier. They also welcomed private investment in waste collection networks, processing plants and refineries.
The partners will explore ways to simplify export and import procedures for recyclable materials moving across borders, while strengthening the implementation of existing regulations.
The joint statement expressed “grave concerns regarding economic coercion, including through arbitrary export restrictions”. The ministers also criticised non-market policies and practices that create overcapacity and disrupt supply chains in critical industries. The statement did not identify any country in this section.
Quad Business Leaders’ Forum to promote commercial ties
The first Quad Business Leaders’ Forum will bring together industry leaders, government representatives and policy experts to strengthen commercial relations and promote deals in key sectors.
Quad export credit agencies are scheduled to meet in Tokyo on November 18 to identify opportunities for practical cooperation.
The ministers also reviewed the first Quad Fuel Security Forum, held in September. Discussions focused on strengthening strategic petroleum reserves and fuel stockholdings across the four countries.
Maritime cooperation and infrastructure projects
The Quad partners are working with Fiji to modernise infrastructure at ports in Suva, Lautoka and Rokobili. The US Millennium Challenge Corporation is supporting a port development framework, while Australia is assessing the feasibility of a new transshipment port facility.
The four countries have provided more than 2,000 infrastructure fellowships across the Pacific, Southeast Asia and South Asia.
They are also advancing trusted, high-speed undersea cable routes with alternative connections and sharing practices to improve the security and resilience of these networks.
The ministers stressed the need to protect navigational rights and freedoms in the Strait of Hormuz, the Red Sea and the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, in accordance with international law as reflected in the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea.
They underlined the importance of uninterrupted commerce, energy security and safe passage for crews and vessels without tolls.
Quad strengthens maritime surveillance
The second Quad-at-Sea Ship Observer mission sailed from Chennai to Perth between September 25 and October 7. Representatives from all four countries travelled aboard an Indian Coast Guard offshore patrol vessel to strengthen cooperation against unlawful maritime activities.
The partners plan to hold their first exercise under the Indo-Pacific Maritime Surveillance Collaboration initiative during Sea Dragon 2027.
A first Quad Maritime Domain Awareness Track 1.5 Symposium is also planned for early 2027 under the Maritime Training Initiative, or MAITRI. Regional partners will discuss surveillance approaches, technology and information-sharing arrangements.
The critical minerals framework and maritime surveillance initiative were announced in May 2026. Cooperation between the export credit agencies builds on a 2024 memorandum.
Regional security and North Korea
According to Japan, the ministers discussed developments in the East China Sea, South China Sea and Middle East.
Motegi opposed unilateral attempts to change the status quo through force or coercion. He also stressed the need for North Korea’s complete denuclearisation and action against malicious cyber activities.
The Japanese Foreign Minister thanked India, Australia and the United States for supporting an immediate resolution of the abductions issue.
The ministers also condemned criminal groups involved in human trafficking and forcing victims to conduct online scams. They said such operations steal tens of billions of dollars annually from citizens of the four countries.
The Quad partners pledged to dismantle these operations and hold transnational criminal groups and their leaders accountable.
Quad steps up disaster response cooperation
The ministers offered condolences over deaths caused by flash floods in Nepal on August 26. They recognised India’s leading role as the first responder and acknowledged significant support from all Quad countries.
Australia, Japan and the United States will send observers to India’s annual joint humanitarian assistance and disaster relief exercise in November.
The partners also reported progress on standard operating procedures for the Indo-Pacific Logistics Network following a tabletop exercise hosted by Japan’s Defence Ministry in September. Further logistics cooperation is planned during the next Rim of the Pacific exercise.
Third ministerial meeting this year
The Atlanta meeting took place on the sidelines of the G20 Foreign Ministers’ Meeting and lasted about 40 minutes, according to Japan.
It was the third Quad ministerial meeting this year, following discussions in May and July. The ministers said they looked forward to a leaders’ summit and another ministerial meeting.
(with IANS inputs)
Stay informed on all the latest news, real-time breaking news updates, and follow all the important headlines in india news and world news on Zee News.
Add Zee News as a Preferred Source
About the Author
