White House announces Bipartisan House and Senate QUAD Caucuses Ahead of Quad Leaders' Summit

The White House on a call to preview the QUAD Summit announced the creation of Bipartisan House and Senate QUAD Caucus. Following which U.S. Representative Ami Bera (D-CA), Ranking Member of the House Foreign Affairs Indo-Pacific Subcommittee, along with Representative Rob Wittman (R-VA), and U.S. Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and Pete Ricketts (R-NE), all members of the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee, announced the formation of the bipartisan House and Senate Quad Caucuses. This initiative comes ahead of the Quad Leaders' Summit in Wilmington, Delaware, where President Biden will host heads of state from Australia, India, and Japan.

The White House on a call to preview the QUAD Summit announced the creation of Bipartisan House and Senate QUAD Caucus. Following which U.S. Representative Ami Bera (D-CA), Ranking Member of the House Foreign Affairs Indo-Pacific Subcommittee, along with Representative Rob Wittman (R-VA), and U.S. Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and Pete Ricketts (R-NE), all members of the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee, announced the formation of the bipartisan House and Senate Quad Caucuses. This initiative comes ahead of the Quad Leaders’ Summit in Wilmington, Delaware, where President Biden will host heads of state from Australia, India, and Japan.

A Senior White House official told India Today that the QUAD Caucus has been created to reflect the bipartisan support the alliance has. It was during Trump administration that the QUAD ministerial meetings had started and in the past 8 years, the alliance has enjoyed broad bipartisan support. The Senior White House official also announced creation of new QUAD Coastal Guard alliance in the Indo Pacific, thanking India for its leadership in allowing QUAD to expand itself in the Indian Ocean.

The Quad—a strategic alliance between the U.S., Japan, India, and Australia—is dedicated to advancing a free and open Indo-Pacific region. The leaders are set to focus on key initiatives involving infrastructure, maritime security, climate, public-private partnerships, health, emerging technologies, and space, all with the goal of fostering stability, development, and prosperity in the region.

"As the Indo-Pacific becomes increasingly important to global security and economic prosperity, it is essential that the United States continues to strengthen relationships with our Quad partners," said Representative Bera. "The launch of the Quad Caucus underscores our shared commitment to fostering peace, stability, and development in the region. By promoting collaboration on key issues like maritime security, infrastructure, and climate, we can ensure a safer and more prosperous future for all."

Representative Wittman echoed these sentiments, highlighting the importance of Quad cooperation in tackling emerging challenges. "Cooperation between the United States, Japan, India, and Australia is crucial for the future stability of the Indo-Pacific," Wittman stated. "The Quad's support for governance in emerging technologies, countering illegal fishing, and enhancing maritime domain awareness proves that we will build a better future for the region by working together."

Senator Duckworth emphasized the Quad's ongoing role in supporting regional prosperity. "Over the years, the Quad has represented the United States' steadfast commitment to the current and future prosperity, strength, and stability of the Indo-Pacific region," she said. "In a strong display of bipartisan support for the region, I'm proud to help launch the Senate's first-ever Quad Caucus."

Senator Ricketts added that the Quad's partnerships are crucial for defending against threats to the region's stability. "Partnerships like the Quad are our greatest strength in protecting a prosperous, free, and open Indo-Pacific against coercion and malign aggression. The launch of the bipartisan Senate Quad Caucus should send a clear signal about the growing importance of the United States, Australia, Japan, and India working closely together."

Per a Senior White House official to India Today, the establishment of the Quad Caucuses reinforces the U.S. commitment to its allies and partners in the Indo-Pacific, with an eye on long-term collaboration to ensure peace and prosperity in the face of regional and global challenges.