Quad or Quadrilateral Security Dialogue is a strategic security dialogue between four countries, namely, India, Japan, the USA And Australia.
It was established in 2007 by the Former Prime Minister of Japan, Shinzo Abe. However, it was only in 2017 when the Quad group was reestablished to counter the increasing influence of China in Indo Pacific region.
In the year 2017, on the occasion of the ASEAN Summit, Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and US President Donald Trump led by Shinzo Abe decided to revive the consciousness of the Quadrilateral Alliance.
In March 2021, the four leaders held the first formal summit and released a joint statement known as "The Spirit of The Quad". This statement expressed the shared vision of the Quad members for a " free and open Indo-Pacific" and "rules-based maritime order in the East and South China seas".
The members claim to meet to enhance maritime cooperation, trade and security. However, there has been a mutual belief among the four members that China's Belt and Road Initiative poses a threat to the Indo Pacific region. In simple words, Quad's revival is a manifestation to counter the Chinese Aggression.
Why does Quad matters to India?
PM Narendra Modi marked his presence in the first in-person Summit of Quad members last September, in 2021; where he stated the need for "establishing peace in the Indo-Pacific region", emphasising partnership with "like-minded countries sharing democratic values".
Indian Foreign Policy has changed over the last few years. Following the skirmishes with China and border tensions, India can use Quad as a platform to balance China's growing presence in the Indo-Pacific region. It can act as a counterbalance to China's aim to expand its reach in India's neighbouring countries through the Belt and Road Initiative.
Modi's Act East Policy has aimed to increase India's cooperation with countries of the Asia Pacific Region. Quad can help India to increase its cooperation with some countries in the Asia Pacific and to balance China's threat which is a prime matter of concern for India.
India can emerge as an attractive economic partner and a desirable destination for Investments in the backdrop of Quad. Its exchange with " like-minded countries" can strengthen its bilateral relations even further.
The Quad group can reinforce India's leadership in post-pandemic times in various ways. Economic cooperation and powerful defence relations are some major benefits of India's participation in this grouping of four.
About the Author :
Annie Pruthi is pursuing her masters in Political Science from JMI, New Delhi and is a first division Arts graduate from Gargi College, Delhi University. She is an avid reader and an award-winning best selling author. Her debut book "Will You Stay?" won the title of "Most Promising Book, 2020 (Fiction)" in the Coimbatore Literary Awards.
interesting.