The Quad Member States signed into operation the Guidelines for Quad Partnership on Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) (QP-HADR) in the Indo-Pacific in September 2022. The idea of QP-HADR was first discussed earlier this year in May 2022 by the Quad Leaders in Tokyo as part of a shared vision for a free and open Indo-Pacific that is inclusive and resilient.

The Government of India statement notes that the QP-HADR has been designed to “respond to the vulnerabilities of the Indo-Pacific region and will serve as a dedicated framework for Quad partners to coordinate their disaster response operations in the region. The mechanism will augment their capacity and capability, interoperability and operational synergy to undertake HADR operations”.

The QP-HADR will provide “joint or coordinated individual assistance in crisis preparation or alert, crisis-response or post crisis review phases of disaster response” giving due regard to the “sovereignty, territorial integrity and national unity of the affected state”. The Partnership is flexible and will deliver HADR when asked for by the UN and work with “international agencies and donors, regional and local governments, public and private organisations, and non-government organizations where appropriate and in the best interest of humanity”.

The Guideline recalls the “2004 ad hoc Tsunami Core Group which catalyzed international response efforts in the aftermath of the tsunami that devastated many countries in the region” suggesting a maritime focus. Issues concerning “gender equality and women’s and girl’s empowerment” are part of the Guidelines and call for “zero tolerance for inaction on tackling Sexual Exploitation, Abuse and Harassment (SEAH)” suggest that it is not specific about the terrain in which HADR operations would be conducted, and therefore allow creative ideas to support the Partnership.

The recall of the 2004 ad hoc Tsunami Core Group in the Guidelines takes one back to the origins of the Quad when a loose partnership among navies for formed to deliver HADR in Indonesia. It was “largest peacetime congregation of maritime assets” and several navies joined in to support relief and rescue operations. Over the years, HADR has emerged as an important function of the navies and is reflected in the maritime strategy, doctrine and SoPs.

The Indian Navy has been at the forefront and has delivered HADR through Mission Sagar-I, Sagar-II, Sagar-III and these operations are “emblematic of a force that ‘stands by’ to provide assistance to Indian Ocean littorals the necessary material help and assistance needed to overcome devastation caused by natural calamities”. This mission role also resonates with the Indian commitment to be the ‘preferred security partner’ for the Indian Ocean countries whenever they require HADR.  

It will be prudent now that the Quad Partners explore a ‘taskforce at sea’ that is capable of delivering HADR during any crisis in the Indo-Pacific region. There are at least three reasons for a Quad-HADR Task Force Maritime.

First, as many as “84 tropical cyclones globally every year” and nearly one-third occur in the Western North Pacific region; similarly, the intensity of cyclones has increased 52% in Arabian Sea and among these very severe cyclones have increased by 150% necessitating HADR. Although there is 8% decrease in the number of cyclones in the Bay of Bengal, the need for HADR has not declined. This data necessitates a robust organisational and infrastructure architecture that ensures that the Partnership is quick to deliver HADR.

Second, deployment of warships for HADR is an expensive proposition. The navies are on near continuous deployments for a number of operational tasks and it becomes difficult to withdraw or redeploy forcers for HADR. The QP-HADR should explore hiring from trade or acquiring civilian vessels that are manned by former naval personnel who would not require training for HADR missions.

Third, in the Indian context, a marine wing of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) could be conceptualized who can board specialist HADR vessels when the need arises. It can be a model similar to NDRF teams that are dispatched by the government to affected areas. The NDRF operations during Japan Triple Disaster-2011 and Nepal Earthquake 2015 were praised globally.

It fair to argue that the Quad is continuously evolving and the Partner countries are spawning innovative frameworks to respond to diverse global challenges such as the COVID19 pandemic, climate change, clean energy, resilient infrastructure, supply chains, rare-earth metals, emerging technologies, cyber security and space. Above all, it is proving that it is not an Asian NATO as characterized by China, and that it also aims to deliver ‘public goods’ which should encourage more likeminded countries to be part of the Quads’ creative missions’.

Dr Vijay Sakhuja is Consultant Kalinga International Foundation, New Delhi.