The Hindu Editorial Analysis- 19th September 2024 | Current Affairs & Hindu Analysis: Daily, Weekly & Monthly - UPSC PDF Download

In Wilmington, juxtaposing immediacy with legacy 

Why in News?

On September 21, the leaders of the Quad (which includes Australia, India, Japan, and the United States) will meet for their fourth summit in Wilmington, Delaware, USA.

• This meeting is significant as it comes full circle since the first in-person Quad Leaders' Summit, which was hosted by U.S. President Joe Biden in 2021.
• The summit symbolizes the ongoing development of this important strategic partnership.
• The meeting will occur during a time of important global issues and changes in leadership among some of the member nations.
•  It is scheduled alongside the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) and the United Nations Summit of the Future.

QUAD Quadrilateral Security Dialogue

• QUAD, also known as the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue or simply the Quad, is a strategic group made up of four countries: the United States, Japan, India, and Australia.
• The main goal of the Quad is to enhance regional security and economic cooperation in the Indo-Pacific region.
• These four nations have a shared interest in ensuring a free and open Indo-Pacific, promoting democracy, human rights, and the rule of law, and addressing China's growing influence in the area.
• The Quad has conducted several meetings at both the ministerial and leaders' levels to discuss important topics such as maritime security, infrastructure development, and supply chain resilience.
• The Quad is viewed as a way to balance China's influence in the region; however, its members have emphasized that it is not a military alliance and is open to other countries that share similar values and interests.

What is the genesis and evolution of QUAD?

• 2007: The Quad was formed in 2007 during a casual meeting among leaders from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). The idea to create the Quad was first suggested by Shinzo Abe, the Prime Minister of Japan.
• 2012: The Japanese Prime Minister emphasized the idea of the 'Democratic Security Diamond' in Asia, which includes the United States, Japan, India, and Australia.
• 2017: As concerns about the growing influence of China increased, the four countries revitalized the Quad. They broadened its objectives and worked on a framework aimed at creating an international order based on established rules.
• The first official 'Quad' discussions took place in Manila before the ASEAN Summit in 2017, involving India, Japan, the USA, and Australia.
• 2020: The trilateral India-US-Japan Malabar naval exercises were expanded to include Australia. This marked the first official gathering of the Quad since its revival in 2017 and represented the first joint military exercises among the four nations in over ten years.
• 2021: The leaders of the Quad met virtually and later published a joint statement called 'The Spirit of the Quad'.

QUAD Functions

• The Quad is a flexible group rather than a formal alliance.
• It lacks a decision-making body, a secretariat, or a structured setup like NATO or the United Nations.
• The collaboration is supported by 
  • summits
  • meetings
  • sharing information
  • military exercises
• The Quadrilateral met five times from 2017 to 2019.
• During the Raisina Dialogue in New Delhi in 2018, the naval chiefs of Japan, US, Australia, and India got together, marking one of the first signs of the Quad's renewed focus on security.
• Starting in March 2021, the Quad member countries and their leaders began hosting regular "Leaders Summits", both online and in person.
• In March 2021, the Quad leaders had their first virtual meeting.
• The first in-person gathering of Quad leaders took place in September 2021.
• Japan is set to host another leaders' summit of the Quad.

What are the important prospects of the QUAD grouping?

• Enhancing regional security: The QUAD focuses on improving safety and stability in the Indo-Pacific area by promoting a system based on rules, ensuring freedom of navigation, and upholding international laws. 
• Addressing China's influence: The QUAD is viewed as a way to respond to China's increasing assertiveness in the region. The member nations aim to balance China's growth and stop it from changing the existing situation in the area. 
• Encouraging economic collaboration: The member countries are significant economies in the region and strive to boost economic partnerships. In May 2022, the QUAD nations agreed to invest $50 billion for infrastructure projects in the Indo-Pacific region. 
• Developing maritime security capabilities: The member countries have been participating in joint naval drills and sea patrols to improve their maritime security skills and work together more effectively. 
• Fostering connections among people: The QUAD aims to strengthen relationships between individuals through academic and cultural exchanges, and improve disaster response and humanitarian aid efforts. For example: 
  • Collaboration in managing debt: Addressing debt challenges through the G20 Common Framework with the 'Quad Debt Management Resource Portal.' 

QUAD Significance

• Strategic importance: QUAD serves as a platform for discussing and tackling shared challenges in the Indo-Pacific area, such as the growing influence of China and its assertive actions through the "String of Pearls" strategy. 
• Economic significance: The member nations have initiated various projects like the Asia-Africa Growth Corridor, the Blue Dot Network, and the Supply Chain Resilience Initiative to foster economic growth in the region. India primarily benefits from investments made by QUAD countries. 
• Maritime security: QUAD plays a crucial role in enhancing India's maritime safety by organizing joint naval drills and collaborating on matters like freedom of navigation, combating piracy, and addressing illegal fishing. 
• Regional stability: QUAD is vital for India in promoting stability in the Indo-Pacific region. It is founded on the principles of a free, open, and inclusive Indo-Pacific and aims to support a rules-based international system. 
• Post-COVID diplomacy: Following supply chain disruptions during the pandemic, Japan and the US are looking to relocate their manufacturing operations away from China to limit its aggressive behavior, a shift that India can also take advantage of. 

QUAD Outcomes

• Russian response: The Russian foreign minister referred to the Quad as an "Asian NATO." Russia has strongly criticized the Quad, describing it as part of a U.S.-led strategy that is persistent, aggressive, and deceptive. 
• Chinese response: China has condemned the grouping, labeling it as an "Indo-Pacific NATO." They accuse it of promoting a Cold War mentality and increasing geopolitical tensions. 
• Western countries: They have reiterated their support for the Quad, emphasizing its commitment to helping countries in the Indo-Pacific region. Their goal is to foster a free and open Indo-Pacific that is inclusive and resilient, where nations work to safeguard their people's interests without facing coercion. 

Quad Initiatives

• QUAD Fellowship: A program designed for students pursuing a doctorate in STEM fields.
• Quad Vaccine Partnership: An initiative aimed at strengthening cooperation in vaccine distribution.
• Covid-19 Global Action Plan: A strategy to improve coordination for recovery efforts during the Covid-19 pandemic.
• Quad Vaccine Experts Group: A team focused on collaborating on vaccine strategy.
• Quad Senior Cyber Group: A group dedicated to the adoption and implementation of shared cybersecurity standards.
• Cooperation in the Space Sector: Involves sharing satellite data among members.
• Quad Climate Working Group: Aimed at adapting to climate change and building capabilities in the Indo-Pacific region.
• Critical and Emerging Technologies: Focuses on collaboration in essential technologies that are important for global digital economies.
• During the 2022 summit, the Quad members decided to address non-traditional security challenges, including issues like illegal fishing.

QUAD Group Limitations

• Lacks definitive structure: The QUAD grouping does not have a clear organizational framework, such as a secretariat or any ongoing decision-making authority.
• Difficulty in addressing China's concerns: China views the QUAD as a strategy to limit its growth, making it hard for the group to interact positively with China. This could lead to increased tension among the member countries.
• Imbalanced cooperation: The members of the QUAD do not share equal financial resources, strategic insights, or military strengths in the Indian Ocean, which can lead to unequal teamwork and potential issues in the future.
• Limited military capabilities: The QUAD members have different levels of military power, with the US being the strongest and Australia being the weakest. This disparity might restrict the group's ability to respond effectively when necessary.
• Domestic politics: Internal political factors can hinder cooperation among the members. For instance, India's internal political situation might make it challenging for the country to work closely with the US.
• Geopolitical challenges: Issues like border disputes, regional conflicts, and new types of security threats require a united and ongoing effort from QUAD members, which may be tough to achieve.
• Lack of coherent actions: The QUAD grouping has not implemented any specific actions to tackle problems in the Indo-Pacific area. This absence of clear actions can weaken the group's credibility and effectiveness in dealing with regional issues.

What can be the future prospects of QUAD?

• Strengthening commitment and engagement:
  • Holding regular meetings for leaders, officials, and working groups.
  • Increasing collaboration with other countries in the region.
• Communicating clear intentions:
  • Making it clear that the group is not aimed at any specific country.
  • Highlighting the common interests and benefits for all nations in the area.
• Delivering concrete outcomes:
  • Creating joint infrastructure projects to boost regional economic ties.
  • Tackling shared issues like climate change and maritime security.
  • Encouraging connectivity and cooperation in digital technology.
• Building a consultative mechanism:
  • Establishing a consultative system with ASEAN and other regional groups to enhance coordination.
  • Exchanging information and intelligence on common challenges and threats.
• Strengthening military and strategic cooperation:
  • Boosting collaboration in cybersecurity, space, and new technologies.
  • Developing joint defense capabilities and improving interoperability.
  • Enhancing military-to-military cooperation and information sharing.
• QUAD Plus:
  • In 2020, the Plus format was solidified when the United States hosted a meeting with Quad nations, including Brazil, Israel, and South Korea, to discuss a global response to COVID-19.

QUAD UPSC PYQs

Q) Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (Quad) is transforming itself into a trade bloc from a military alliance, in present times. Discuss (2020)