22 Jul THE QUAD

“THE QUAD”

This article covers “Daily Current Affairs,” and the topic details of important organizations: Quad..

Syllabus mapping:GS-2: International organization of which India is a member.

For Prelims:
The organization’s members and important institutions under the organization.

For Mains:
How are the organizations important for India to achieve its national interest?
What is the policy of strategic autonomy and its significance?

Why In News
The Quad Foreign Ministers’ meeting is going to be held in Japan this month end.

What Is QUAD ?
“Quadrilateral Security Dialogue” (QSD), the Quad is an informal strategic forum comprising four nations, namely — United States of America (USA), India, Australia and Japan. One of the primary objectives of the Quad is to work for a free, open, prosperous and inclusive Indo-Pacific region.

Formation of QUAD: The group met for the first time in 2007 on the sidelines of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean). Since its establishment in 2007, the representatives for the four-member nations have met periodically. Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe was the first to pitch the idea for the formation of Quad in 2007. In 2012, the Japanese PM emphasized the idea of Asia’s ‘Democratic Security Diamond’ comprising the US, Japan, India and Australia. It was in 2017 when the first official talks under the Quad took place in the Philippines

Principles of QUAD:

• The motive behind the Quad is to keep the strategic sea routes in the Indo-Pacific free of any military or political influence.
• The Quad is basically seen as a strategic grouping to reduce Chinese domination.
  The core objective of the Quad is to secure a rules-based global order, freedom of navigation and a liberal trading system.
• The coalition also aims to offer alternative debt financing for nations in the Indo-Pacific region. for example Blue Dot Network.
• The platform to exchange views on contemporary global issues such as critical and emerging technologies, connectivity and infrastructure, cyber security, maritime security, humanitarian assistance, disaster relief, climate change, pandemic and education.

Significance of the QUAD for India:

1. Strategic Security: T.S. Tirumurti “India sees the Quad as a platform to enhance its strategic security in the Indo-Pacific region. It provides a framework for coordinating with like-minded countries to ensure maritime security, freedom of navigation, and stability in the region”.
2. Counterbalancing China: According to C, Raja Mohan, One of the primary reasons behind India’s involvement in the Quad is to counterbalance China’s growing influence and assertiveness in the region.
3. Economic Opportunities: External Affairs Minister (EAM) S. Jaishankar said that the Quad alliance is working towards realizing its shared vision of a secure and prosperous Indo-Pacific and delivering in the field of clean energy, disaster relief and health security.
4. Diplomatic Leverage: Participation in the Quad enhances India’s diplomatic leverage on the global stage. It aligns India with major powers outside its immediate neighborhood and strengthens its voice on international issues concerning global governance, rule of law, and democratic values.
5. Military Cooperation: The Quad countries engage in joint military exercises like Malabar exercise and information sharing, which contributes to enhancing India’s military capabilities and interoperability with other advanced militaries.

Critical Analysis of QUAD:

1. Asian NATO: Sourabh Gupta, a senior fellow at the Institute for China-America Studies, has argued that the Quad “can be seen as contributing to an unnecessary escalation of tensions in the region” and could potentially “push China into a more confrontational posture.”
2. Lack of Inclusivity: Raja Mohan has suggested that while the Quad members are important, “the real challenge lies in integrating them with Southeast Asian and other regional initiatives.”
3. Impact on Regional Diplomacy: The Quad could undermine efforts towards multilateral diplomacy and regional cooperation, particularly ASEAN-led mechanisms, by creating parallel structures.
4. Economic Dependence on China: Critics point out that “Quad members are not necessarily willing to put all their eggs in one basket in terms of dealing with China” due to economic interdependencies.
5. Perception of Military Alliances: There is concern that the Quad could evolve into a military alliance, which could heighten tensions rather than promote stability in the region.
   India border issue: India is the only Quad country which shares the border with China; this may jeopardize India’s security.

Way forward:

1. Strategic Autonomy: India’s participation in the Quad “does not mean aligning with Washington’s policies, joining a formal alliance, or alienating China.” India should engage with other plurilateral groupings like BRICS,SCO.
2. Diversifying Partnerships: Scholar argues that India should “deepen ties with other partners in the Indo-Pacific and beyond to ensure that its interests are not hostage to the policy priorities of any single power.”
   Emphasizing Economic Cooperation: India can use the Quad to “promote transparency, sustainability, and quality in infrastructure development across the Indo-Pacific, areas where it has particular expertise.”
3.  Promoting Inclusivity: India should “focus on shaping the evolution of the Quad and other regional security arrangements to serve its interests in an inclusive and balanced manner.”
4.  Balancing Security and Diplomacy: India should “use its Quad membership to reassure China about the coalition’s benign intentions even as it prepares itself for a more contentious relationship with Beijing.”
5. Upholding International Law and Norms: India can “utilize the Quad to reaffirm and strengthen norms of international law, such as freedom of navigation and respect for territorial integrity, which are crucial for India’s maritime security.”
6. Strengthening Military Capabilities: India should “focus on enhancing its naval and air capabilities, which are critical for its ability to contribute effectively to the Quad’s collective security efforts.”

India can effectively manage its Quad membership while safeguarding its national interests, contributing to regional stability, and leveraging opportunities for economic and strategic cooperation in the Indo-Pacific and beyond.

Sources: The Hindu/page 9/ 22 July 2024.
https://epaper.thehindu.com/reader.

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Prelims Question:

Q. 1 With reference to the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue” (Quad), consider the following statements :
1. The Quad is a formal intergovernmental organization set up in 2007.
2. The Quads primary objective is to keep the strategic sea routes in the Indo-Pacific free of any military or political influence.
3. All Quad members are also part of AKUS group.

How many of the statements given above are correct?
(a) Only one
(b) Only two
(c) All three
(d) None

ANSWER: a

Mains Question:

“In recent times India has consistently put its efforts in the Quad grouping which provides an opportunity for India to reassure its presence in the Indo- Pacific Region and strengthen its partnership with allies”. Comment ?
(250 words 15,marks)

Munde Dhananjay Navnath