The four members of the Quad have stepped up their efforts to ensure security across the Indo-Pacific and to build alternative and resilient supply chains against the backdrop of China’s increasingly assertive actions across the region.
Context
The four members of the Quad have stepped up their efforts to ensure security across the Indo-Pacific and to build alternative and resilient supply chains against the backdrop of China’s increasingly assertive actions across the region.
Key-highlights of the discussion
- India, Japan, United States and Australia discussed several issues like
- open and inclusive Indo-Pacific
- the need for safe, effective and affordable access to COVID-19 vaccines
- The four countries reiterated their commitment to a free, open, prosperous and inclusive Indo-Pacific based on shared values and principles and respect for international law, especially the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).
What is Quad?
- The Quadrilateral Security Dialogueis also known as the Quad or Asian NATO.
- It is an informal strategic forum between the United States, Japan, Australia and India.
- It is maintained by semi-regular summits, information exchanges and military drills between member countries.
- The forum was initiated as a dialogue in 2007 by then Prime Minister Shinzo Abe of Japan.
- India, Australia, US and Japan, formed the “quadrilateral” coalition on November 12, 2017.
What is the main aim behind its formation?
- It was formed with the aim to counter China’s aggressive behaviour in the Indo-Pacific region.
