QUAD(Quadrilateral Security Dialogue) is an Inter-governmental strategic security forum. Four countries consisted here are Japan, the United States, India, and Australia. The main motives of Quad are: liberal trading, freedom of navigation, and basically dealing with China’s military and economic influence in the Indo-pacific region. Another objective is to help the nations in the Indo-pacific region in terms of alternative debt financing. Former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe suggested it in 2007 in collaboration with the US Vice President Dick Cheney, the Prime Minister of India Manmohan Singh, and the Prime Minister of Australia John Howard. The first official talks took place in Manila of Philippines in 2017 under the Quad.
QUAD 1.0
The First Quad working-level meeting took place in 2007. It was termed as ‘informal’ and briefly talked about the mutual interest in the Indo-pacific region. There was hardly any specific grouping which made many scholars say that this group will turn into ‘Asian-NATO’(Asian North Atlantic Treaty Organisation). However, it was a failure as every nation here did not have the similar thinking as required for the common force.
QUAD 2.0
The collapse of Quad 1.0 gave rise to the agenda of Quad 2.0. A working-level meeting was conducted in Manila in November 2017. Next working-level meetings were conducted in Singapore in June 2018 as well as November 2018 and then in Bangkok in May 2019. Here comes the Ministerial-level meeting conducted in New York in September 2019. Further 2 working-level meetings were conducted in Bangkok and virtually in November 2019 and September 2020 respectively. In-depth details can be found here. The return of Quad in 2017 brought into notice the changing geopolitics mainly in the Indo-pacific region. In the Quad ministerial-level meeting conducted in February 2021, the four countries discussed how international co-operation is required to have the same opportunities to access the vaccines, significantly in the developing nations. Also, India wished that the western countries, mainly the US should not oppose its proposal in World Trade Organization (WTO) so as to produce more vaccines generically. Another discussion was that of regional crises occurring between Afghanistan-America where the US planned to talk and help the troops get out of the conflict as well as in Myanmar where the formal requests against the strong punishments given to protestors are continuously ignored. An increase in China’s emphasizing military power, use of intimidation, and growing global footprint made the nations come together. Still, Quad 2.0 is considered as ‘informal’.
Challenges Faced By Various Countries Posed By China
India has military conflicts with China in Ladakh sector of the Line of Actual Control (LAC). Talking about Japan, there have been many sudden appearances of Chinese vessels around Senkaku Islands and also there are problems related to the Chinese Coast Guard law. Australia has witnessed the results of increasing trade sanctions of China as well as the influence of China in the country. The US has challenges from China in terms of main security and trade.
Agenda of first QUAD Summit
This summit was held on March 12, 2021 virtually and was attended by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, US President Joe Biden, Japanese PM Yoshihide Suga and Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison. Various issues discussed here included the agreement of the nations for the co-operation to provide billions of COVID-19 vaccine doses in the Indo-Pacific region by the end of 2022, development, post COVID-19 recovery, tough supply, and production chains, maritime security, climate change and co-operation on critical technologies.
What they said?
Each of the four leaders present at the summit described the meeting as ‘historic’. China closely monitored their meet. This was the first time when the Quad leaders had the meeting. PM Narendra Modi refered to this meeting as ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’ meaning that whole world is a family. Also, he thanked President Biden for this initiative. According to him, it will be a key pillar for the stability of Indo-Pacific region. Australian PM Morrison said that there is much that can be achieved when nations come together and have common hope, trust as well as shared values. He considered the Indo-Pacific region as the one that will shape the destiny of the world in 21st century. Japanese PM Yoshihide Suga felt emotional during the summit. He thanked the leaders of the other member nations for the support they provided during the 2011 Japan earthquake. He also looked forward to get good results from the meet. President of USA Joe Biden expressed his commitment towards working with the other member nations. He announced the launch of a formal agreement related to the manufacturing of new vaccine. Thus, Quad is considered to play a significant role here according to him.
What happened at the summit?
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian told the media trust and understanding among the countries should be boosted but any third party should not be targeted. PM Modi addressed this partnership to be beneficial globally. The Foreign Secretary of India Harsh Vardhan Shringla considered this initiative as important as it would help India to recognize its own manufacturing capabilities. Also, he said that conveyance of trust is the motive behind this vaccine supply chain. Eastern Ladakh issues were discussed and the Quad leaders expressed sympathy. PM Narendra Modi also made a tweet saying that Quad has become a positive force for the global benefits and prosperity in Indo-Pacific region.
Practical actions taken
The meetings took
place at informal levels for years. But this time talking about the practical
actions of the summit, the following points are to be noted:
·
A
vaccine expert working group has been established by Quad for their safe and
effective distribution.
·
In
order to provide co-operation on international standards and new future
technologies, a critical and emerging technology working group has been
established.
·
To
strengthen climate actions globally on technology, mitigation, resilience and
adaptation, a climate working group has been established.
· To hold an In-person summit by the end of 2021, an agreement was also issued.
Issues with the summit
·
The
member countries of Quad are highly capable of co-operation but there is a
scarcity of strategic missions. This has become a maritime group instead of
being a land-based group due to its concentration on the Indo-Pacific region.
·
China
is the biggest trading partner for Australia and Japan. Thus, it will prove to
be a challenge for them to align with India and the US in Quad.
· The issues related to LAC between the troops of India and China can also pose to be a caution.
Ideas to overcome it
·
Quad
should be expanded and countries such as Singapore and Indonesia can be
invited.
·
Have
a clear vision especially in terms of the Indo-Pacific region so as to overcome the
allegations made by China.
· An understanding from China and its co-operation leading to proper equality amongst all the country and the Quad member nations.
Conclusion
This first virtual summit of the Quad leaders was found to be a great deal by US President Joe Biden. The challenges related to the pandemic were put forth excellently so that the actual needs could be seen. This helped the member nations to take corresponding actions. Teaming up against common challenges will surely be fruitful globally is what one can learn here.
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