As part of the QUAD‑at‑Sea Ship Observer Mission, Indian Coast Guard (ICG) Ship Shaunak sailed from Chennai on 25 September 2026 for Perth, Australia. This marks an important step in advancing maritime cooperation and interoperability among QUAD nations -- India, Australia, Japan, and the US.

Six Sea Riders, two officers each from India and Japan, and one officer each from Australia and the US, embarked onboard Shaunak to participate in shipboard activities and professional exchanges designed to enhance interoperability, strengthen coordination, and build mutual trust.

The initiative, aligned with the Quad Foreign Ministers’ Joint Statement of 26 May 2026, reflects the shared commitment of the QUAD countries to uphold a free, open, inclusive and rules‑based maritime order in the Indo‑Pacific.

This mission underscores India’s maritime vision of MAHASAGAR (Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth Across Regions), and ICG’s dedication to collective engagement, professional linkages, and a secure maritime environment across the Indo‑Pacific.