On Tuesday, leaders from the U.S. and Japan, Australia, India met in Tokyo for the summit of the "Quad." Why is this group so important?
What is the QUAD?
Formerly the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (or the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue), the Quad was established as a loose partnership following the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami. The four countries joined forces to provide disaster and humanitarian assistance. In 2007, the former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe formalized it. However, it remained dormant for almost a decade due to concerns from Australia that China's participation would cause resentful behavior.
In 2017, the group was revived to reflect changing attitudes towards China's increasing influence in the region. The Quad was a key component of the Trump and Biden administrations' pivot to increasing attention to the Indo-Pacific region. This is especially important as it serves as counterweight to China’s assertive actions. In 2021, the Quad leaders met for their first formal summit and met again in March.
IS IT AN ASIAN NATO?
China claims the group is an attempt to form an "Asian NATO," but unlike the European alliance, there is no mutual defense pact. The Quad members claim that the group is intended to strengthen economic, diplomatic, and military ties between the four countries. Although they may not always explicitly state it, these partnerships are intended to provide a buffer against Chinese aggression. The leaders of the Quad declared the "Spirit of the Quad" in March 2021. They stated that they bring different perspectives to a common vision for the Indo-Pacific free and open. We want a region that is open, free, inclusive, healthy, unconstrained by force and without coercion.
WHO ARE THE NEW FACES?
Tuesday's meeting is the first time that the group has met in person. It includes Fumio Kishida (Japan's Prime Minister), and Anthony Albanese, Australia's new prime minster. On Monday, he was sworn in just two days after Australia's parliamentary elections and one day before summit.
WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT INDIA
As his government crackdowns minorities and displays authoritarian tendencies, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be attending. India also increased its purchases from Russian energy after the invasion, even though the Quad members have united against Russia's invasion. The invasion has caused food shortages which are leading to price spikes. However, India banned wheat exports after a heatwave that could make this global problem even more difficult to solve.
WHO ELSE IS INTERESTED?
South Korea expressed interest in joining the Quad. However, U.S. officials said that they do not plan to adjust the group's membership. Meetings called "Quad+" have been held by the group, including South Korea, New Zealand, and Vietnam. These meetings could be the basis of future partnership or expansion in the region.
WHY IS THE ODD NAME USERED?
Diplomats are unable to help but indulge their need for self-preservation. They can't help but use abbreviations like the Quad and baffling acronyms such as AUKUS (the new Australia- U.K.–U.S. alliance). The Indo-Pacific Economic Framework (IPEF) is another acronym that caught attention while President Joe Biden visited Asia.
