“The Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (Quad) has evolved from a maritime security initiative into a multidimensional strategic framework.” Critically examine the significance of QUAD for India, and its challenges.

The Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (Quad) is an informal strategic forum comprising India, the United States, Japan, and Australia. Initially focused on maritime security in the Indo-Pacific, the Quad has evolved into a multidimensional partnership encompassing economic cooperation, health security, climate change, and technology collaboration, especially after its revival in 2017.

Evolution of the Quad:

• 2007: Conceptualised by Shinzo Abe; initial informal talks began.
• 2017: Re-emergence on the sidelines of the ASEAN Summit in Manila, amid rising concerns over China’s assertiveness.
• 2020: Inclusion of Australia in the Malabar Naval Exercise marked formal defense cooperation among all four members.
• 2021–2024: Shift towards economic, health, and climate cooperation, highlighted by the Wilmington Declaration and Quad Leaders’ Summits.
• 2023: Launch of the Vision Statement: “Enduring Partners for the Indo-Pacific”.

Strategic Relevance for India:

Geopolitical Leverage:

• Enhances India’s global stature as a responsible Indo-Pacific power.
  • Reinforces India’s position as a “Voice of the Global South” as India is the only global south power in the QUAD

Counterbalance to China:

• QUAD helps India in deterring China’s aggressive actions in the Indian Ocean and at the LAC. For E.g., Indo-Pacific Partnership for Maritime Domain Awareness (IPMDA) improves real-time surveillance.

Maritime and Security Cooperation:

• India hosts the MAITRI maritime initiative and benefits from Quad Coast Guard Cooperation and 2+2 Dialogues.

Access to Technology & Economic Cooperation:

• Quad’s QUIN (Quad Investors Network) and Open RAN promotion aid India’s digital infrastructure.
  • Resilient semiconductor and rare earth supply chains reduce dependency on China.

Public Goods & Health Diplomacy:

• Quad Vaccine Partnership and Quad Cancer Moonshot strengthen India’s image as the “pharmacy of the world”.

Challenges Faced by the Quad

Lack of Institutional Framework:

• Absence of a secretariat or binding charter limits consistency and coordination.

Divergent Strategic Priorities:

• India’s ties with Russia and SCO contrast with other Quad members while Australia and Japan’s economic dependence on China complicates unified policy responses.

Perception as Anti-China Bloc:

• Seen by China as a “mini-NATO”, raising fears of regional polarization.

ASEAN Sensitivities:

• Countries like Indonesia and Malaysia fear Quad may marginalize ASEAN’s central role.

India’s Strategic Autonomy:

• India’s reluctance to enter formal military alliances may slow deeper security integration.

Way Forward:

Articulate a Coherent Indo-Pacific Strategy:

• Align Quad goals with India’s Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative (IPOI) and Act East Policy.

Strengthen Maritime Doctrine:

• India must invest in blue water naval capacity and lead initiatives like MAITRI and IPMDA.

Institutionalize the Quad:

• Advocate for a Quad secretariat and functional intra-parliamentary working group (supported by the US in 2024).

Quad Plus Approach:

• Engage other stakeholders like Indonesia, South Korea, Singapore, to broaden regional credibility.

Deepen Economic and Tech Partnerships:

• Push for a Quad Economic Framework including climate finance, digital infrastructure, and supply chain resilience.

Maintain Strategic Autonomy:

• While enhancing cooperation, India must preserve its non-alignment posture to avoid entanglements.

Conclusion:

Despite institutional and geopolitical challenges, it offers India a robust platform to pursue its strategic interests, counterbalance China, and contribute to regional stability and global good. To maximize its benefits, India must lead with vision, diplomacy, and strategic clarity.

‘+1’ Value addition:

• Indo-Pacific Logistics Network: Enhancing disaster response through shared airlift and logistics.
• Quad Ports of the Future initiative for resilient port infrastructure.
• Critical & Emerging Tech: Promoting Open RAN deployment and Quad Investors Network (QUIN) for tech investments.
• Quad Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation Package (Q-CHAMP), 2022 to enhance climate and clean energy cooperation
• QUAD represents 24% of the world’s population, 35% of global GDP and 18% of global trade.

https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/a-more-focused-quad-will-help-deliver-better-says-jaishankar/article69761215.ece

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