The Quadrilateral Security Dialogue, also known as the Quad, is an informal strategic forum comprising four democracies – India, Japan, Australia, and the United States. The Quad members are geographically separated but share a common vision of a free, open, and inclusive Indo-Pacific region. The Quad is seen as a strategic counterweight to China’s increasing assertiveness in the Indo-Pacific region, especially in the South China Sea.
Formation of the Quad
The Quad was initially conceived in 2007, during the term of Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. However, the concept did not gain traction, partly due to the objections raised by China, which viewed the Quad as a containment strategy. In 2017, the Quad was revived during the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in Vietnam, as a response to China’s massive military build-up in the South China Sea.
Leaders’ Meeting in 2021
On March 12, 2021, the Quad leaders – Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga, Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison and US President Joe Biden – held a virtual summit, their first-ever meeting. The agenda of the meeting focused on four key areas – Covid-19 vaccines, climate change, regional security, and economic cooperation.
Covid-19 Vaccines
The Quad leaders decided to launch a joint Covid-19 vaccine initiative, with India playing a pivotal role in vaccine production. India is one of the world’s largest vaccine manufacturers and has already supplied vaccines to more than 70 countries. The Quad leaders agreed to pool their resources and expertise to produce one billion vaccine doses by 2022, which will be distributed throughout the Indo-Pacific region.
Climate Change
The Quad leaders acknowledged the importance of tackling climate change and agreed to promote clean energy and technology in the region. They also decided to launch an initiative to fund climate change adaptation and resilience projects in vulnerable countries. The initiative will focus on climate-resilient infrastructure, water management, and disaster resilience.
Regional Security
The Quad leaders expressed concern over China’s increasing assertiveness and aggression in the Indo-Pacific region, especially in the South China Sea. They called for the rule of law and respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all countries. They also emphasized the importance of maintaining a free and open Indo-Pacific region and committed to deepen cooperation in maritime security, cyber security, and counter-terrorism.
Economic Cooperation
The Quad leaders agreed to strengthen their economic cooperation, including trade, investment, and supply chain resilience. They acknowledged the importance of a free and open trading system and committed to enhancing the digital economy, fostering innovation and entrepreneurship, and promoting infrastructure development.
Key Takeaways
The Quad leaders meeting was significant as it marked the revival of the Quad after a hiatus of nearly a decade. It also signals a shift in the US foreign policy towards China, with the Biden administration adopting a more assertive approach towards Beijing. The Quad leaders’ joint initiative on Covid-19 vaccines is a significant step towards global vaccine equity, while their commitment to promote clean energy and tackle climate change in the region is a positive development. The Quad’s emphasis on regional security and the importance of maintaining a free and open Indo-Pacific region is also a welcome move. However, the Quad’s growing strategic significance vis-à-vis China may lead to further geopolitical tensions in the region, and it remains to be seen how China will respond to the Quad’s renewed activism.
Disclaimer
6do Encyclopedia represents the inaugural AI-driven knowledge repository, and we cordially invite all community users to collaborate and contribute to the enhancement of its accuracy and completeness.
Should you identify any inaccuracies or discrepancies, we respectfully request that you promptly bring these to our attention. Furthermore, you are encouraged to engage in dialogue with the 6do AI chatbot for clarifications.
Please be advised that when utilizing the resources provided by 6do Encyclopedia, users must exercise due care and diligence with respect to the information contained therein. We expressly disclaim any and all legal liabilities arising from the use of such content.
