The latest Quad Summit 2024 was held in Delaware, USA, on September 22, 2024. The summit focused on various critical areas aimed at enhancing cooperation among the member countries of the Quad- The United States, Australia, India, and Japan.
What is the Quad Grouping? What is the History of its formation and the objectives of the grouping?
Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (QSD) or Quad- It is an informal strategic forum among like-minded democracies across the Indian and the Pacific Ocean, which is aimed to ensure and support a ‘free, open and prosperous‘ Indo-Pacific region. It comprises-the USA, India, Japan, and Australia.
History of Quad
| Quad 1.0 (Origin of Quad) | |
| 2004 | The grouping traces its genesis to 2004, when the four countries, came together to coordinate relief operations in the aftermath of the tsunami. |
| 2007 | The idea of Quad was initiated in 2007 by the Japanese Prime Minister, Shinzo Abe. But it was dropped with the withdrawal of Australia, due to the political pressure from the Chinese government and in the wake of the growing conflict between the US and China in the Asia-Pacific region. |
| Quad 2.0 (Revival of Quad) | |
| 2012 | The Japanese PM emphasised the idea of Asia’s ‘Democratic Security Diamond‘ comprising the US, Japan, India, and Australia. |
| 2017 | The resurgence of the Quad began in 2017, coinciding with changing geopolitical dynamics and increasing assertiveness from China in the South China Sea and along its borders with India. |
| 2021 | The first formal summit of the Quad began in 2021. The Official declaration was laid out in March 2021. The declaration states that the Quad aims to create a region that is free, open, inclusive, healthy, anchored by democratic values, and unconstrained by coercion. |
What are the recent Outcomes of the Quad Summit 2024?
Maritime Security
1. MAITRI maritime initiative- It is a new regional maritime initiative for training the Quad Partners to monitor and secure their waters, enforce their laws and deter unlawful behaviour. The inaugural symposium will be hosted by India in 2025.
2. Indo-Pacific Partnership for Maritime Domain Awareness (IPMDA)- The Quad will expand this partnership to enhance regional capabilities against illicit maritime activities through improved training and resources.
3. Quad Coast Guard Cooperation- This initiative seeks to improve interoperability among coast guard forces of member nations. Also, a Quad-at-Sea Ship Observer Mission has been scheduled for 2025.
Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief
1. Indo-Pacific Logistics Network Pilot- A joint airlift capability will be developed to enhance the efficiency of humanitarian assistance and disaster response operations in the Indo-Pacific region.
2. Aid and Assistance for Cyclone Yagi- $4 million in humanitarian assistance has been announced for Vietnam following Typhoon Yagi.
Health Initiatives
1. Quad Cancer Moonshot Initiative- This initiative aims to combat cervical cancer by promoting increased HPV vaccinations, expanding access to screenings, and enhancing treatment options across the Indo-Pacific region.
Education and Research
1. Quad Scholarships- India has announced a new initiative offering fifty scholarships worth $500,000 for students from the Indo-Pacific to pursue education in various fields.
2. Quad BioExplore Initiative- This Quad initiative will focus on joint research of utilizing AI for agricultural advancements across member countries.
Infrastructure and Connectivity
1. Centre for Cable Connectivity and Resilience- This centre will focus on developing and managing undersea cable networks critical for global data traffic, enhancing regional digital infrastructure.
2. Quality Infrastructure Development- The Quad is committed to improving connectivity through sustainable infrastructure projects, including training initiatives for telecommunications readiness in South Pacific nations.
Climate Change and Clean Energy
1. Quad Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation Package (Q-CHAMP)- The Q-CHAMP initiative aims to enhance resilience against climate impacts across the region.
What is the Significance of the Quad Grouping?
1. Strategic Counterbalance to China- The Quad serves as a counterbalance to China’s growing influence and assertiveness in the Indo-Pacific. This cooperation aims to uphold a ‘free and open Indo-Pacific‘, which is critical for maintaining regional stability and security.
For ex- The Quad’s statements and joint declarations often emphasise support for ASEAN centrality, UNCLOS (United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea), and peaceful resolution of disputes like the South China Sea Dispute.
2. Maritime Security- The grouping aims to enhance maritime security through joint exercises and coordinated responses to potential threats.
For ex- The creation of Indo-Pacific Partnership for Maritime Domain Awareness (IPMDA), conduction of Malabar exercise on an annual basis which aim to secure rule based order in the Indo-Pacific region.
3. Economic Cooperation- The Quad countries collaborate on economic issues, which includes infrastructure development and economic resilience in the Indo-Pacific.
For ex- Establishment of the Quad Infrastructure Coordination Group to identify, design, and fund infrastructure projects in the region, and to provide alternatives to China’s Belt and Road Initiative.
4. Technology and Supply Chain Resilience- The Quad grouping aims to create more resilient supply chains, particularly for critical technologies, components, and minerals.
For ex- Launch of initiatives like the semiconductor supply chain Initiative, Quad Partnership for cable connectivity and resilience to secure the critical supply chains of materials and technologies.
5. Public Goods provisions- The grouping has evolved to address broader issues beyond security, which includes health security.
For ex- Launch of initiatives like the Quad Vaccine Partnership and Quad Cancer moonshot initiatives which aims to secure common public goods like vaccines.
6. Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR)- The HADR operations of the Quad group aims to provide disaster relief to the countries of the Indo-Pacific.
For ex- Indo-Pacific Logistics Network Pilot and aids during the times of devastating cyclones like Cyclone Yagi.
What is the Significance of the Quad Grouping for India?
1. Strengthening of India’s Global Standing- India’s active role in the Quad has positioned it as a key player in the Indo-Pacific. It has enhanced its influence in international forums and with other major powers. It has also helped India to become the Voice of the Global South.
2. Support for India’s vision of Free and Open Indo-Pacific- India’s ‘Act East‘ policy and its Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative (IPOI) find resonance in the Quad’s commitment of promoting regional stability and prosperity in the Indian Ocean region. This enables India to pursue its strategic interests in Southeast Asia and beyond.
3. Strategic Counterbalance to China- The Quad’s initiatives on infrastructure development and alternative financing provides India with options to effectively counter Chinese investments under the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).
4. Access to Advanced Technologies- The Quad’s focus on creating resilient supply chains for semiconductors and rare earth elements is beneficial for India, as it seeks to boost its own tech industry and reduce dependency on imports.
5. Collaboration on Health and Vaccine Distribution- The Quad Vaccine Partnership, which aims to expand vaccine manufacturing in India and distribute vaccines across the Indo-Pacific, reinforces India’s position as the ‘pharmacy of the world.’
What are the Challenges faced by the Quad grouping?
1. Perception of Anti-China Alignment- The grouping is often perceived as an ‘anti-China alliance‘. China has criticized the grouping as a ‘mini-NATO‘ and accused it of sowing discord in the region.
2. Divergent Strategic Interests Among Members- The Quad countries have different strategic priorities and threat perceptions.
For ex- Even though the U.S., Japan, and Australia expressed support for India during the 2020 Galwan Valley clashes between India and China, their direct involvement was limited. This reflects divergent levels of strategic commitment.
3. Lack of Institutionalization- The Quad remains an informal grouping without a formal secretariat or institutional framework. This limits its ability to execute long-term strategic projects or maintain consistent policies.
4. Economic Dependencies on China- All Quad members, particularly Australia, Japan, and India, have significant economic ties with China. This economic interdependence often constraints their ability to fully align on anti-China measures.
For ex- Australia’s experience of severe trade disruptions in 2020 after China’s imposition of tariffs and trade restrictions in response to Australia’s call for an independent investigation into the origins of COVID-19.
5. Lack of Consensus on Security Issues- India’s traditional wariness of formal military alliances and preference for strategic autonomy, impedes the further deepening of cooperation on security issues.
6. Challenges in expansion of membership- Expansion of the Quad grouping to include other like-minded countries like South Korea, Vietnam, or New Zealand, poses challenges such as the risks of dilution of the group’s cohesion and focus.
7. ASEAN concerns- Some ASEAN members, like Indonesia and Malaysia, have expressed concerns that the Quad could increase regional polarization. Quad poses a threat to ASEAN’s role as the primary platform for regional dialogue and cooperation in the Indo-Pacific.
What Should be the way forward?
1. Strengthening Institutionalization- The Quad should consider establishing a more formal institutional framework, such as a secretariat or regularized meetings at multiple levels (e.g., working groups, ministerial, and leaders’ summits).
2. Enhancing Military and Security Cooperation- The Malabar naval exercise should be expanded to include more complex joint operations, such as anti-submarine warfare and amphibious operations.
3. Engaging with ASEAN and Other Regional Partners- Initiating a Quad-ASEAN dialogue could help align efforts on issues like maritime security, infrastructure development, and economic resilience.
4. Establishment of Quad Economic framework- A Quad economic framework must be established to include initiatives for digital trade, investment in high-tech industries, and collaboration on setting international standards for emerging technologies.
5. Expansion of membership for better collaboration- A ‘Quad Plus‘ dialogue can be launched on infrastructure development which could include countries like South Korea, Vietnam, and Singapore.
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