In News:

Quad Foreign Ministers reaffirmed their commitment to a free, open, and peaceful Indo-Pacific. Marked the 20th anniversary of Quad cooperation, originally formed to respond to the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami.

Key Highlights:

• What is the Quad?
  • A strategic forum of the US, Japan, India, and Australia aimed at regional security and economic cooperation in the Indo-Pacific region.
  • Founded on shared principles of democracy, human rights, rule of law, and countering China's influence.
• Origins:
  • Quad traces its origins to the 2004 Tsunami relief efforts.
  • Formed formally in 2007, but Australia withdrew in 2008 due to regional tensions. It rejoined in 2017 following strengthened US-Australia ties.
• Commitment to Regional Security:
  • Focus on countering China’s assertive behavior in the Indo-Pacific.
  • Ensuring maritime security, countering illegal fishing, promoting infrastructure, and advancing economic cooperation.
• Key Initiatives:
  • IPMDA: Real-time monitoring of maritime activities.
  • MAITRI: Capacity-building for maritime security.
  • Quad Fellowship: Funds graduate-level STEM education in member countries.
  • Open RAN: Promoting secure 5G infrastructure.
  • Cancer Moonshot: Focus on cervical cancer prevention.
• Military and Naval Cooperation:
  • Malabar Exercises: Joint naval drills between India, Japan, the US, and Australia.
• ASEAN and Regional Cooperation:
  • Emphasis on ASEAN's central role in the Indo-Pacific region.
  • Support for the Pacific Islands Forum and the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA).
• Future Developments:
  • India to host the next Quad Summit in 2025.
  • Continued focus on sustainable regional development, scientific collaboration, and disaster relief efforts.
• Significance of the Quad for India:

• Strategic Importance:
  • Provides a platform to counter China's assertive policies, especially in the South China Sea and the "String of Pearls" strategy.
  • Aligns with India’s Act East Policy, enhancing ties with East and Southeast Asia.
• Maritime Security: Ensures freedom of navigation and counters illegal activities like piracy and illegal fishing in India’s maritime domain.
• Economic Opportunities:
  • Strengthens cooperation on infrastructure projects and trade initiatives, such as the Blue Dot Network.
  • Post-COVID, Quad may aid India in attracting manufacturing units shifting from China.
• Scientific and People-to-People Collaboration: Supports STEM education and enhances soft power diplomacy through academic and cultural exchanges.