Explanation – The Quad (Quadrilateral Security Dialogue), comprising the United States, India, Japan, and Australia, is sometimes referred to as the “Asia-Pacific NATO.” This term arises from its perceived role in counterbalancing China’s influence in the Indo-Pacific region and its focus on security cooperation. While the Quad is not a formal military alliance like NATO, its strategic objectives and joint military exercises, such as the Malabar naval exercises, have drawn comparisons to NATO.

Source: The Hindu