In News:

Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in the United States, where he will participate in the fourth Quad Leaders Summit in Wilmington, Delaware.

What is the Quad Grouping?

The Quad, or Quadrilateral Security Dialogue, is an informal strategic alliance comprising India, the United States, Japan, and Australia. Originally formed in response to the Indian Ocean tsunami in 2004, the Quad aims to foster collaboration in various areas, but its primary focus has become countering the influence of China in the Indo-Pacific region.

Historical Background

• 2004: The Quad began as a response to the Indian Ocean tsunami, facilitating disaster relief.
• 2007: Japanese PM Shinzo Abe formalized the alliance.
• 2017: Amid rising Chinese assertiveness, the Quad was revitalized, expanding its objectives beyond maritime security.

Structure and Characteristics

• The Quad is not a formal organization; it lacks a secretariat or permanent decision-making body like the EU or UN.
• It focuses on strengthening bilateral and multilateral ties among member nations.
• Unlike NATO, the Quad does not include collective defense provisions but conducts joint military exercises to demonstrate unity.

Key Developments

• In 2020, the Malabar naval exercises expanded to include Australia, marking the first joint military exercises of the Quad since its resurgence.
• The first in-person summit took place in Washington, D.C. in 2021.

Objectives of the Quad

The Quad has outlined several primary objectives:

1. Maritime Security: Ensuring safe and open sea routes in the Indo-Pacific.
2. Climate Change: Addressing environmental challenges collaboratively.
3. Investment Ecosystem: Creating opportunities for economic investment in the region.
4. Technological Innovation: Promoting advancements and cooperation in technology.
5. Public Health: Collaborating on initiatives like vaccine diplomacy during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Expansion and Future Directions

The Quad members have discussed expanding the partnership to include countries like South Korea, New Zealand, and Vietnam. In a joint statement, they reaffirmed their commitment to a free, open, resilient, and inclusive Indo-Pacific governed by international law.

Challenges and Opposition

China views the Quad as an effort to encircle and contain its influence. Beijing has criticized the grouping, labeling it as a strategy that incites discord among Asian nations.