Indian Coast Guard ship Shaunak begins QUAD-at-Sea mission

The Indian Coast Guard ship Shaunak has departed from Chennai for Perth, Australia, to begin the QUAD-at-Sea Ship Observer Mission. This initiative is designed to strengthen maritime cooperation and operational interoperability among the four Quadrilateral Security Dialogue members: India, Australia, Japan, and the United States.

Six specialized officers, known as Sea Riders, are embarked on the vessel to participate in shipboard activities and professional exchanges. The group includes two officers each from India and Japan, and one officer each from Australia and the United States. The mission aims to improve coordination, share operational experiences, and build mutual trust.

The deployment follows commitments made during the 11th Quad Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in New Delhi in May 2026. It aligns with India’s MAHASAGAR vision—Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth Across Regions—which seeks to promote stability and security across the Indian Ocean and the wider Indo-Pacific. This mission builds upon the inaugural version of the observer program launched in 2025 aboard a United States Coast Guard vessel.