Formation of Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (Quad)

Why in news?

The White House announced that US President will be hosting the first in-person meeting of the Quad countries.

What is the background of formation of Quad?

Quad refers to the grouping of 4 countries of India, Japan, Australia, and the US

Following the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami, the four countries created an informal alliance to collaborate on disaster relief efforts
In 2007, then PM of Japan, Shinzo Abe, formalised the alliance as the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue
In 2017, with the rising threat of China, the four countries revived the Quad broadening the objectives to establish a rules-based international order

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 organisation 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 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 to Canberra
India is also wary of Beijing’s China Pakistan Economic Corridor and LAC standoffs that affects India’s territorial integrity

What opportunities are lying ahead?

Quad members have indicated 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 backseat

Source: The Indian Expres