The recent gathering of India with Australia, Japan, and the US for a ministerial meeting under the framework of the Quadrilateral grouping (Quad), was the stage for an extensive discussion about issues spanning across Indo-Pacific territories, including the military coup in Myanmar.
Highlights from the Quad meeting
The key points raised during this meeting ranged from tackling current challenges, such as the impact of Covid-19, to strategic planning for regional stability and security. The officials agreed on improving access to affordable vaccines, medicines, and medical equipment, demonstrating a unified front in combating the pandemic. The discourse also encompassed countering disinformation and terrorism, ensuring maritime security, and underlining the need to strengthen democratic resilience in the broader region.
The Quad members underscored their commitment to upholding a rules-based international order, emphasizing respect for territorial integrity and sovereignty, the rule of law, transparency, and freedom of navigation in international waters. Furthermore, they advocated for peaceful resolution of disputes, reflecting their shared values and principles.
A common vision for a free, open, and inclusive Indo-Pacific region, supporting ASEAN cohesion and centrality, was reiterated. The officials acknowledged the growing international support for the Indo-Pacific concept, even amongst European nations. Climate change, cooperation in humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, and supply chain resilience were also addressed.
An agreement was reached to hold Quad ministerial meetings at least once a year, alongside regular senior and working-level meetings to enhance cooperation towards a free and open Indo-Pacific.
The Significance of Quad Meeting
This meeting held critical strategic implications for India. It illustrated that India’s involvement in the Quad is not merely tactical but is rooted in profound strategic considerations, especially against the backdrop of the ongoing withdrawal of Chinese forces from the Line of Actual Control. The increasing power imbalance with China, which has implications for India’s security, prosperity, regional, and international standing, underscores the importance of the Quad for India.
The meeting signaled the new U.S. administration’s commitment to maintaining the Quad as a core formation in the Indo-Pacific region. Momentum behind the Quad has picked up since 2020, primarily driven by the Covid-19 crisis, China’s growing assertiveness, and deterioration in China’s bilateral relations with all Quad partners. Chinese officials infamously equated the Quad to a “mini NATO”, claiming that its activities target third parties, which was firmly rejected by the Quad members.
Origins and Evolution of the Quad
Established as an informal strategic dialogue, the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (Quad) between India, the USA, Japan, and Australia aims to ensure and support a “free, open and prosperous” Indo-Pacific region. Former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe originally suggested the concept of Quad back in 2007. Unfortunately, due to Chinese pressure, this idea didn’t progress as Australia withdrew from it.
Shinzo Abe revisited the idea in December of 2012, proposing Asia’s “Democratic Security Diamond” involving Australia, India, Japan, and the USA to secure the maritime commons from the Indian Ocean to the western Pacific. In 2017, the Quad Coalition finally came to fruition, establishing a new strategy to keep critical sea routes in the Indo-Pacific free from any influence, particularly China.
In 2020, the Malabar exercise saw all four Quad countries participating. This annual trilateral naval exercise between the navies of India, Japan, and the USA is held alternately in the Indian and Pacific Oceans.
