Why in the news ?

• The Quad, (Quadrilateral Security Dialogue), has evolved into a strategic alliance focused on security, diplomatic collaboration, and the provision of public goods among its members and throughout the Indo-Pacific region over the past two decades.

About the Quad:

• The Quad, comprising India, Japan, Australia, and the United States, has emerged as a significant diplomatic platform aimed at ensuring a free, open, and inclusive Indo-Pacific region. 
• It focuses on upholding international law, maintaining freedom of navigation, and promoting democratic values within the region. 
• The Quad countries collectively host 1.9 billion people (24% of the world’s population) and account for 35% of the world’s GDP and 18% of global trade.

Genesis and Evolution:

• The Quad was conceived in the early 2000s to leverage the converging interests of its member nations. 
• Its inception responded to the growing need for a collaborative approach to address challenges in the Indo-Pacific, particularly those posed by natural disasters and regional security threats.

General timeline of events:

Quad Initiatives and Focus Areas:

• Quad Health Security Partnership:
  
  • In 2021, they met virtually for the first time alongside three new partners — South Korea, Vietnam, and New Zealand, informally called the Quad-Plus.
  • Established initiatives like the Quad Vaccine Partnership.
• Climate Working Group:
  
  • Launched the Quad Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation Package (Q-CHAMP) at the 2022 Quad Leaders’ Summit in Tokyo.
  • Focus areas include climate-smart agriculture, carbon recycling, and subnational climate action knowledge sharing.
  • Q-CHAMP builds on three pillars: climate ambition, clean energy, and adaptation and resilience.
  • Emphasises the need for secure, resilient, and sustainable clean energy supply chains, reducing emissions from mining, production, and manufacturing.
• Critical and Emerging Technology (CET) Working Group:
  
  • Addresses technologies like AI, quantum computing, autonomous systems, and biotechnologies.
  • The Quad International Standards Cooperation Network enhances coordination and influence in international standards development.
  • Promotes global technology markets, sets technical standards, and coordinates on 5G networks and horizon scanning.
• Space Working Group:
  
  • Quad nations share Earth observation satellite data for monitoring climate change, improving disaster response, and ensuring sustainable use of oceans and marine resources.
  • The global space economy was worth $546 billion in 2022, with commercial revenue accounting for 78% of the sector.
• Quad Infrastructure Coordination Group:
  
  • Addresses the infrastructure financing gap due to rapid regional growth, focusing on transport, power, telecommunications, water supply, and sanitation.
  • Despite $881 billion in annual infrastructure investment in the region, the figure drops to $195 billion excluding China’s investments.
  • From 2015 to 2021, Quad countries provided over $48 billion in infrastructure financing to the Indo-Pacific.
• Quad Senior Cyber Group:
  
  • Cybercrime resulted in $1 trillion in global economic losses in 2020.
  • In 2022, all Quad countries were among the top 20 international cyber victims.
  • Established the Quad Cybersecurity Partnership to address cyber threats, focusing on critical infrastructure protection, supply chain resilience, workforce development, and software security standards.

India and the Quad:

• Platform for Consultation: The Quad serves as a platform for India to engage with major powers on regional security and economic issues, aligning with its foreign policy objectives.
• Countering China's Influence: As a regional power, India uses the Quad to counter China's dominance in the Indian Ocean and to ensure security in the Indo-Pacific.
• Commitment to Regional Stability: India’s participation in the Quad reflects its dedication to regional stability and its role as a significant global player.

Challenges and Criticism:

• Emergence of AUKUS:
  • AUKUS Formation: The creation of the Australia-UK-US (AUKUS) Indo-Pacific grouping has raised questions about the Quad’s future relevance.
  • Focus Differences: AUKUS focuses on broader global social issues such as climate change, COVID-19 vaccines, and supply chain resilience, while the Quad addresses stronger strategic aspects.
• Free and Open Indo-Pacific:
  
  • Rules-Based Order: The Quad emphasises a ‘free, open, rules-based order’ rooted in international law to counter threats in the Indo-Pacific region.
  • Tensions with China: Tensions with China, particularly regarding unilateral actions in the South China Sea, drive the Quad's focus on maintaining a rules-based order.
• Connectivity and Infrastructure:
  
  • Transparent Funding: The Quad aims to provide transparent infrastructure funding and joint connectivity projects to countries in the region.
  • Debt-Trap Prevention: This initiative is designed to prevent countries from becoming ‘debt-trapped’ by other initiatives, such as China’s Belt and Road Initiative.
• Critical Technologies and Supply Chains:
  
  • Working Group on Technologies: The Quad has established a working group on critical and emerging technologies to cooperate on international standards and innovation.
  • Supply Chain Resilience: Ensuring resilient supply chains is a priority for the Quad, addressing potential vulnerabilities and promoting robust economic cooperation.

Way Forward:

• Collaborative efforts in combating climate change, enhancing pandemic response capabilities, and promoting sustainable development are essential for the region's well-being.
• Fostering deeper economic ties and technological partnerships will be crucial in shaping the future of Indo-Pacific diplomacy. 
• Critics often highlight the absence of a formal charter or binding commitments among the member countries, questioning the group's cohesiveness and long-term vision.
• The Quad's perceived role in countering China's influence in the region. The group's strategies and actions are often scrutinised for their implications on regional dynamics and balance of power.
• The next decade will be pivotal for the Quad to solidify its role as a cornerstone of peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific. 
• Continued adaptation, strategic cooperation, and addressing criticisms head-on will be key to ensuring the Quad's enduring impact and success.

Source: ORF