{"id":136328,"date":"2021-09-23T20:05:14","date_gmt":"2021-09-23T14:35:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blog.forumias.com\/?p=136328"},"modified":"2021-09-25T15:51:55","modified_gmt":"2021-09-25T10:21:55","slug":"the-importance-of-quad-meeting-amidst-current-geopolitical-flux","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/the-importance-of-quad-meeting-amidst-current-geopolitical-flux\/","title":{"rendered":"The importance of Quad meeting amidst current geopolitical flux"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Synopsis: <\/strong>This article explains the previous Quad summit and the performance of Working groups and suggestions to improve Quad further.<\/p>\n

Introduction<\/strong><\/h5>\n

The leaders of Australia, India, Japan, and the United States<\/strong> will meet for the first-ever in-person<\/strong> Quadrilateral (\u201cQuad\u201d) summit. It is especially significant as it is set against the backdrop of few important recent events.<\/p>\n

Such as the withdrawal of the US from Afghanistan<\/strong><\/a>, the formation of the AUKUS security alliance<\/a>\u00a0<\/strong>and following the release of the European Union\u2019s Indo-Pacific strategy<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n

About the Development of Quad<\/strong><\/h5>\n\n\n\n
Must Read<\/strong>: Quad Summit and its relevance \u2013 Explained, Pointwise<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

The four nations are vibrant democracies and open economies. Three are developed countries and one is an emerging market.<\/p>\n

About the previous meeting and its outcome<\/strong><\/h5>\n

The Quad leaders met formally but virtually for the first time in March this year, and the joint statement captured the \u201cspirit of the Quad<\/strong>\u201d, stressing democratic values while pledging to strengthen cooperation on the \u201cdefining challenges\u201d of the times. Working groups<\/strong> were set up on vaccines, critical and emerging technologies, and climate action<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Read more<\/strong>: \u201c3rd Quad meeting\u201d Focussed on rules-based world order<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n
What is the progress of working groups?<\/strong><\/h5>\n

The Working groups (WG) fulfilling the past commitments of Quad countries. For instance,<\/p>\n

Progress of WG on Vaccines<\/strong>: The joint vaccine production programme seems to be on track and their distribution first to needy Indo-Pacific countries will begin in early 2022<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Progress of WG on emerging and critical technologies<\/strong>: This group is reporting progress. A principal endeavour of this WG is to leverage the Open Radio Access Network (O-RAN)<\/strong> to derive benefits of interoperability of the 5G technologies offered by different vendors in the west.<\/p>\n

Progress of WG on Climate Change<\/strong>: Cooperation on multiple dimensions of the climate challenge is proposed, including finance, emissions reduction, technology and capacity-building.<\/p>\n

However, some key issues remain unresolved within this group as India<\/strong>, being a developing nation, is unable to show \u201cmore ambitions\u201d regarding its climate goals. But efforts are underway to finalise technology-sharing and other cooperation to meet the challenges of climate change.<\/p>\n

What is the significance of Quad for India?<\/strong><\/h5>\n

For India, each of the other three countries is a strategic partner<\/strong>, and bilateral and multilateral initiatives have been taken across multiple areas in different fora with each. The Quad syncs with India\u2019s other regional programmes such as the Indo-Pacific Oceans\u2019 Initiative<\/strong><\/a> and the Supply Chain Resilience Initiative<\/strong><\/a> (SCRI)<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

What the Quad should focus upon?<\/strong><\/h5>\n

Devise a matching strategy against China<\/strong>: With the China challenge now recognised as being both multi-faceted and long-term, the Quad needs to devise a matching strategy.<\/p>\n

So, the Quad should consider practical recommendations<\/strong> like, \u2018The Quad Economy & Technology Task Force Report: A Time for Concerted Action<\/strong>\u2019 crafted by international experts and published by think tank Gateway House.<\/p>\n

Strengthen the economic partnership further<\/strong>: To advance their goals for a free, open and inclusive Indo-Pacific, the Quad must activate business partnerships. This can be done in the following ways.<\/p>\n

Joint efforts<\/strong> can be made by all Quad countries to establish alternative manufacturing hubs<\/strong>. This will not only aid SCRI but also make regional supply chains more diversified.<\/p>\n

The Quad could consider adding a trade ministers\u2019 interaction<\/strong> to its agenda which may engage in lowering trade barriers and boosting trade linkages<\/p>\n

Ensure Quality infrastructure investment<\/strong>: Innovative financing and public-private partnership models between Quad nations can enlarge the space for private industry and support public funds in the endeavour.<\/p>\n

India should be cautious<\/strong>: India\u2019s has to consider the initiatives of Quad with a strategic perspective as it is the only Quad power with land borders with China <\/strong>and have proximity to Afghanistan<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Source:\u00a0<\/strong>This post is based on the following articles<\/p>\n