A U.S. government exchange program deepens Quad cooperation by equipping participants with insights on maritime security, infrastructure protection and regional coordination.
By Giriraj Agarwal, SPAN Magazine, U.S. Embassy
To strengthen Quad cooperation on maritime security, 11 experts from India, Australia, and Japan traveled to the United States for a U.S. Department of State-sponsored International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP) titled “Enhancing Regional Maritime Governance and Cooperation in the Quad.” Over the course of three weeks, the delegation explored U.S. maritime governance practices, discussed shared challenges in the Indo-Pacific, and exchanged insights on regulatory frameworks, capacity building and emerging technologies.
The IVLP program, the U.S. government’s premier professional exchange program, advances U.S. national security priorities and builds enduring relationships between Americans and international leaders. Among the participants in the program on maritime governance and Quad cooperation was Anand Vidyadharan Pillai, a geopolitics and international relations expert who coordinates the China Study Centre at the Manipal Institute of Social Sciences, Humanities and Arts.
During the program, participants engaged U.S. stakeholders on topics critical to Indo-Pacific cooperation—ranging from cybersecurity and disaster response to maritime domain awareness and port security. They examined how Quad initiatives such as the Indo-Pacific Partnership for Maritime Domain Awareness (IPMDA) promote coordination across governments and sectors.
Participants agreed that despite complex regional challenges, sustained collaboration on strategic infrastructure, technology integration and information sharing will be essential to advancing the Quad’s vision for a free, open and secure Indo-Pacific—a goal reinforced in the 2025 U.S.-India Joint Leaders’ Statement.
Excerpts from an interview with Pillai.
What were your key takeaways from the IVLP on “Enhancing Regional Maritime Governance and Cooperation in the Quad”?
Participating in the IVLP project offered valuable insights into the United States’ maritime strategy in the Indo-Pacific, particularly in relation to national security and foreign policy objectives. I also gained a deeper understanding of how participants from other Quad members— Japan and Australia— view critical issues shaping the regional security landscape.
Traveling along both the East and West Coasts of the United States provided a broader perspective on American politics and society. The program created opportunities to engage with a wide network of experts and peers working on Indo-Pacific security and political affairs. Importantly, it also offered a unique view of how India’s role in the region is perceived by its Quad partners.
What locations did you visit, and what stood out from your interactions with U.S. experts and institutions?
I visited a range of institutions—including government agencies, academic centers, non-governmental organizations and think tanks—in Washington, D.C., Boston, San Diego and Honolulu. I observed a consistent focus on the strategic importance of the Indo-Pacific and the need to address both conventional and non-conventional challenges in the region.
One particularly eye-opening experience was learning about the U.S. Department of Transportation ’s role in strategic planning for military operations. Visits to major U.S. ports deepened my understanding of the maritime security challenges.
How can the Quad more effectively promote a secure, open Indo-Pacific, and what joint initiatives stand out?
The Quad is emerging as an essential platform for ensuring a free, open, secure and prosperous Indo-Pacific. One of its most significant ongoing initiatives is the IPMDA program. It enables comprehensive surveillance across the region’s maritime domain. By improving real-time monitoring, IPMDA can both detect and deter threats to freedom of navigation and regional maritime interests.
To achieve its full potential, the initiative will require sustained and deepened cooperation among the Quad members and engagement with regional partners and like-minded nations. During the IVLP, the IPMDA featured prominently in discussions on maritime security, reflecting its importance as a shared priority.
How do you intend to apply the insights gained from this exchange program in your professional work and contribute to advancing Quad cooperation?
I intend to incorporate the insights gained into my teaching, academic and policy research, as well as dialogue initiatives focused on Indo-Pacific security and regional cooperation. These perspectives will help contextualize key regional dynamics for students and early-career researchers.
Additionally, I aim to foster academic exchanges, research collaborations, and ongoing dialogue between India and other Quad nations, leveraging the networks and relationships established through this program.
What steps can Quad members take to better coordinate maritime efforts and protect strategic infrastructure from conventional and cyber threats?
One of the most pressing maritime security concerns in the Indo-Pacific is the vulnerability of undersea communication cables. These cables carry the majority of global internet and communications traffic and are largely owned by private entities. They face growing risks from accidental damage and deliberate sabotage, especially in the context of strategic competition in the region.
The Quad nations can work toward establishing legal and normative frameworks to safeguard undersea infrastructure while supporting regional capacity-building initiatives. Such collaboration will be key to ensuring the resilience and security of critical maritime infrastructure.
How can emerging technologies be leveraged to enhance maritime domain awareness and counter illegal activities at sea more effectively?
Transnational criminal networks and non-state actors continue to pose serious challenges to maritime security in the Indo-Pacific. These include piracy, terrorism, human trafficking, narcotics and arms smuggling, as well as Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated (IUU) fishing. These issues are especially pressing for nations that depend heavily on maritime resources, such as the Pacific Island Countries.
Addressing these challenges requires robust enforcement of international maritime law, supported by advanced technologies. The Quad, with its technological capabilities, is well-positioned to lead in this space. By using tools like maritime surveillance satellites, Automatic Identification System tracking, and remote sensing technologies, Quad nations can significantly improve real-time monitoring, interdiction and information sharing.
IPMDA is a significant step in this regard. The coordinated use of artificial intelligence and big data analytics to track maritime traffic patterns can further support proactive enforcement, contributing to a safer and more stable Indo-Pacific maritime environment.