Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (Quad) is the informal strategic dialogue between India, the USA, Japan, and Australia with a shared objective to ensure and support a “free, open and prosperous” Indo-Pacific region.
What are the Objectives of Quad?
- Maritime security recommitting to a shared vision for a free, open, resilient and inclusive Indo-Pacific region
- Combating the Covid-19 crisis, especially vaccine diplomacy
- Addressing the risks of climate change
- Creating an ecosystem for investment in the region
- Boosting technological innovation
What are the challenges?
- Quad is not structured like a typical multilateral organization and lacks a secretariat and any permanent decision-making body
- Although exercises such as Malabar naval exercise are conducted, Quad does not include provisions for collective defence
- China opposed the formation of Quad and has branded it an emerging “Asian NATO”
Why is Quad significant with respect to China?
- China’s actions in the South China Sea and its attempts to extend its sphere of influence through initiatives such as the One Belt One Road Project (OBOR) are viewed as a threat by Quad members
- U.S. charges China for aiming to subvert the international rules-based order
- Japan and Australia are concerned about China’s expanding presence in the South and East China Sea
- Australia passed foreign interference laws in 2018 which China responded to by restricting trade with Canberra
- India is also wary of Beijing’s China-Pakistan Economic Corridor and LAC standoffs that affect India’s territorial integrity
What opportunities are lying ahead?
- Quad members have indicated a willingness to expand the partnership through a so-called Quad Plus that would include South Korea, New Zealand, and Vietnam amongst others.
- Although the Quad is perceived to be anti-China, there is no direct reference to China or military security
- QUAD provides a geostrategic vision for India to balance China via global networking but its neighbourhood-first policy should also not take a backseat
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