India and the quad

 The globe is changing constantly at a fast pace as the new power centres are

emerging and older ones rejuvenating. The Chinese aggression in its maritime

and land domain is a fine example of the quick and rapid changes occurring in

the neighbourhood of India. In this context, the four countries of Quad have

strengthened their efforts, including India, to secure their interests in all the

spheres such as political, economic, environmental, security etc. India has

significant strategic interests in the Indo-pacific region. To secure its interests

against the unilateral rise of Chinese aggression, it will need to form strategic

alliances such as Quad grouping.

What is QUAD?

The Quadrilateral Security Dialogue, also known as the Quad, is an informal strategic dialogue between four nations - India, Australia, the USA, and Japan. The primary objective of the Quad is to ensure and support a "free, open, and prosperous" Indo-Pacific region. The idea of the Quad was first proposed by the former Japanese Prime Minister, Shinzo Abe, in 2007. However, the idea could not move forward at that time as Australia had pulled out due to Chinese pressure, and there was a more Beijing-friendly regime in Japan. Additionally, India's relationship with China was also a factor.

During the 2017 ASEAN summit, all four members decided to revive the quadrilateral security alliance and develop a new strategy to keep critical sea routes in the Indo-Pacific region free from any influence, particularly Chinese influence. The organization now aims to promote a "free and open Indo-Pacific amid China's aggressive postures in the region." India, Japan, and the USA were in talks to invite Australia for a quadrilateral coordinated navy exercise at Malabar.

This military exercise will give a new military dimension to the Quad grouping. The four countries have strongly asserted their views that China's growing assertiveness should be contained in the Indo-Pacific region. The Quad, apart from containing China's growing influence, also provides freedom from uncertainties in the Asian region.

The Quad is also a grouping of like-minded democratic countries that can help promote the values of democracy, rules, diversity, cooperation, and inclusiveness. It will be more sustainable if the countries are able to balance their interests and include more substantive dimensions apart from the current ones. Overall, the Quad is a crucial alliance that can play a significant role in shaping the future of the Indo-Pacific region.

Dimensions of Quad

Diplomatic The Quad is a forum for diplomatic consultation. The meetings of

Quad have sought to address the broader agendas of the Indo-Pacific region. There

is high level of policy coordination between the members that impact the rules

based regional order, including maritime security, terrorism, cyber security and

connectivity. The Quad can complement even the ASEAN cooperation that is

helpful for maintaining peace and prosperity in the Asian region.

Intelligence Quad is not yet a strategic alliance. So, there are limitations as how

much intelligence can be shared between its members. Despite this, there are

increasing signs of information sharing in a number of military sectors, including

maritime domain awareness.

As the Quad member’s major military assets are located throughout the Indian

ocean, this immense geographical range provides a certain strategic advantage. The

information sharing can be enhanced in the maritime sector to tackle issues such

as maritime terrorism and piracy. All the four countries are building information

networks with Australia, Japan and USA sharing defence related information

through an agreement. India has also begun to create the foundations for

information sharing with USA and Japan.

Military Military component of the Quad does not play an important part in

deterrence. Military cooperation among the four members of Quad are limited. But

military-to-military cooperation is necessary. Measures can be taken to improve the

preparedness of military for any contingency in the Indo-Pacific. There must be

capacity building of the Indo-Pacific regional states. Military technology and

defence equipment transfer will also be essential. States in the region still rely on

major powers such as Russia and USA. India can also play atleast a supplementary

role in enhancing the military capabilities of the regional states.

Economy The economic aspect of Quad will include economic integration and

regional connectivity. China’s Belt and Road Initiative has made significant impact

on the existing rules of development of infrastructure. The capital provided by

China to various developing countries is used by them to fulfil their infrastructural

needs. The regional connectivity initiatives should aim at integrating the far West

Asia and Central Asian region with the South-East Asia through the Indian ocean.

Investments to create strategic infrastructure should be undertaken to improve

regional connectivity and secure mutual interests in trade, commerce, connectivity,

peace and prosperity.

Quad Nations and China

The four member countries of the Quad have some common reservations regarding

China’s influence in the region as these countries are affected by China’s growing

influence in their respective sphere of influence.

USA USA has followed a consistent policy to restrain China’s increasing influence

in East Asia. USA sees Quad as an opportunity to regain its influence in the

Indo-Pacific region. The USA has described China as a strategic rival in its

national security strategy, national defence strategy and Pentagon’s report on the

Indo-Pacific strategy.

Australia Australia has been concerned about China’s growing interests in its

land, infrastructure, politics and its universities. Taking in account its

overwhelming economic dependence on China for the prosperity of the continent,

it has continued its commitment to a comprehensive strategic partnership with

China. It is seeking to shift away from its overwhelming dependence on China.

Japan Japan has expressed concerns related to China’s territorial transgression in

the region. As Japan has also large trade relations with China therefore, Japan has

to balance its economic needs and territorial concerns.

India China’s violation of international norms, boundary transgressions in India,

construction of military facilities etc have posed a serious challenge for India. India

needs to confront the Chinese aggression on its borders, secure its land as well as

maritime interests and maintain strategic autonomy.

Advantages or Opportunities for India

For India, there are face-offs at the border, the effects of One Belt One Road

Initiative and impact of China-Pakistan economic corridor on its strategic

landscape. The Quad provides it with many advantages to eliminate these

challenges. The opportunities for India include

1. Increased Defence Spending China spends huge sums on its defence sector that

is more than the collective spending of Japan, Australia and India together. The

presence of USA in the grouping will provide a necessary boost to the defence

sector of India as it will aid in technology transfer and defence cooperation.

2. Secured Borders With Chinese aggression on India’s borders, Quad can prove to

be an effective alliance to reduce Chinese influence in the border regions of

India. The situation in the Northern borders has been worsened by both China’s

and Pakistan’s influence in pressurising India. Quad can play a balancing role in

this situation.

3. Sustainability in Indian Ocean Indian ocean is the only ocean of the world that

is named after a country, that is India. India has the responsibility to act as the

net security provider in the Indian ocean region. For providing sustainability and

prosperity in the Indian ocean region, India along with the Quad nations can

counter Chinese String of Pearls or Maritime Silk Road and its debt trap

diplomacy.

4. India’s Act East Policy India’s Act East policy that aims to promote economic

strategic and cultural relations with vast Asia-Pacific region will be strengthened

with the involvement of India with Quad grouping. It will also provide a boost to

the vision of SAGAR- Security and Growth for all in the region.

5. Stability in the Region India is concerned about the declining significance of

USA and growing Chinese influence in the Indian ocean and Asian region. This

imbalance created by such a situation may create instabilities in the regions that

affect India’s interests. Thus, Quad grouping can be an opportunity to infuse

stability in its neighbourhood region.