Perspective: Quad Foreign Ministers’ Meeting | Current Affairs & Hindu Analysis: Daily, Weekly & Monthly - UPSC PDF Download

Why in News?

Recently, the Foreign Ministers of India, Australia, Japan, and the Secretary of State of the United States of America met at the Quad Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in Tokyo, Japan.

• India talked about how the Quad helps in promoting a free, open rules-based order, emphasizing its practical results and integration into foreign policies.
• India mentioned the Quad's wide range of topics, including telecom technology, humanitarian aid, cyber and health security, and climate action, dismissing the idea that it's just for show.
• It was also revealed that India will host the next Quad Leaders’ Summit later this year and the US will host the next Quad Foreign Ministers' meeting in 2025.

What is the Quad?

• About: The Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (QSD), known as the Quad, is an informal strategic alliance between India, the United States, Australia, and Japan.
• Objective: Its primary goal is to promote a free, open, prosperous, and inclusive Indo-Pacific region.
• Origin: Initially proposed by Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe in 2007, the Quad became a formal group in 2017 after overcoming challenges, including Australia's initial withdrawal due to Chinese pressure.

Significance:

• Achievements: The Quad has accomplished significant milestones, such as providing COVID-19 vaccines, sharing satellite data for disaster management, and offering STEM scholarships and infrastructure fellowships.
• International Cooperation: India, during the recent meeting, emphasized the Quad's commitment to shared democratic values and international cooperation, positioning it as an effective multilateral engagement model.
• Strategic Counter to China: The Quad is seen as a strategic counter to China's growing economic and military influence, often addressing China’s actions in the Indo-Pacific. Although the Quad is not solely focused on countering China, it regularly discusses China's influence and activities.
• Opportunities for Multilateral Cooperation: The Quad offers India opportunities to engage in multilateral initiatives aimed at ensuring a free and open Indo-Pacific.

Key Highlights from the Quad Foreign Ministers’ Meeting

• Commitment to International Order: The Quad members reaffirmed their commitment to upholding the international order for global good, discussing shared challenges and plans for the Quad to benefit the Indo-Pacific region. They expressed concern over the war in Ukraine, the humanitarian crisis, and the situations in Gaza and Myanmar.
• Strong Message to China: The Quad reiterated its commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific, opposing China’s unilateral actions that alter the status quo through force or coercion. Concerns were raised about China's actions in the South China Sea, including the militarization of disputed features and the dangerous use of coast guard and maritime militia vessels.
• Support for Regional Institutions: The Quad endorsed ASEAN’s central role and the ASEAN-led regional architecture, including the East Asia Summit and ASEAN Regional Forum. They also committed to supporting the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) and the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA).
• Expanded Maritime Domain Awareness: The Quad plans to extend its Indo-Pacific Maritime Domain Awareness (IPMDA) program to the Indian Ocean and operationalize the South Asia program through India’s Information Fusion Centre for the Indian Ocean Region.
• Commitment to Free and Open Order: The Quad emphasized the importance of upholding a rules-based global order, respecting sovereignty, human rights, and democratic values. They called for adherence to international law, including the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), to address maritime challenges.
• Countering Terrorism: The Quad condemned terrorism, including the 26/11 Mumbai attacks, and called for action against UN-listed terrorist groups like Al-Qa'ida, ISIS/Daesh, Lashkar-e-Tayyiba (LeT), and Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM). They urged countries to prevent their territories from being used for terrorist activities.
• Critical Technologies and Innovation: New initiatives include developing a secure telecommunication network and implementing Open Radio Access Networks (Open RAN) in Palau. The members called for progress in Artificial Intelligence (AI) research, semiconductor supply chain resilience, and exploration of synthetic biology cooperation.
• Cybersecurity Initiatives: The Quad established a Quad Cyber Ambassadors Meeting and accelerated capacity-building projects. They addressed cybersecurity in critical infrastructure and mutual recognition of cybersecurity standards.
• Disaster Response and Humanitarian Assistance: The Quad members supported disaster response coordination and humanitarian assistance, including relief efforts in Papua New Guinea. The group finalized the Quad Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).
• Climate Change and Clean Energy: Under the Quad Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation Package (Q-CHAMP), the Quad focused on enhancing climate and clean energy cooperation, particularly supporting Pacific island countries.

Challenges for the Quad

• Navigating Multilateral Platforms: The Quad faces challenges in balancing its agenda with other significant multilateral platforms like the G20 and G7, which are also led by Quad countries.
• Consensus Building Amidst Global Divisions: One major challenge is achieving consensus on contentious global issues, such as the war in Ukraine.
• Addressing Global South Concerns: The Quad must address the concerns of the Global South, including those in its neighborhood. China has positioned the Quad as an "exclusionary bloc," gaining traction in regions that feel marginalized by global discussions.
• Balancing Security and Development: Emerging economies are skeptical of Western sanctions on Russia due to their negative impact on energy security and commodity prices. Meanwhile, India has increased its oil imports from Russia, causing a potential conflict of interest within the Quad.
• China’s Opposition to the Quad: China has consistently opposed the Quad, viewing it as a strategy to encircle China and incite discord among regional powers. In 2018, China’s Foreign Minister criticized the Quad as a “headline-grabbing idea” and has pressured countries like Bangladesh to avoid aligning with the group.

Ways Forward

• Leverage Multilateral Platforms: Utilize the Quad's leadership roles in the G7 and G20 to synchronize agendas and reinforce common goals. Ensure that the Quad’s initiatives align with broader multilateral discussions to enhance their global impact.
• Integrate Quad Goals: Address global challenges such as the Ukraine conflict and climate change with a unified approach that complements the Quad’s efforts within these larger frameworks.
• Engage with Emerging Economies: Ensure that the interests of developing countries are reflected in Quad initiatives to counter China’s narrative of the Quad as an exclusionary bloc.
• Expand Technological Initiatives: Advance projects in artificial intelligence (AI), semiconductor supply chains, and cybersecurity. Continue developing secure telecommunication networks and exploring synthetic biology cooperation.
• Collaborate on Cybersecurity: Enhance cybersecurity initiatives through mutual recognition of standards and capacity-building projects.
• Building Consensus and Accommodating Global Voices: Achieving consensus requires more than public statements. Effective consensus-building involves behind-the-scenes negotiations, concessions, and addressing the concerns of global players. The Quad’s ability to manage these complexities while presenting a unified front will be crucial to its success.
• Balance Security and Development: The Quad must ensure its security-focused agenda aligns with developmental concerns, accommodating diverse global perspectives.