Title : The Quad Grouping

Date : Nov 10, 2021

Description :

Topic:  International Relations

· Why in News:

• Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said on Sunday while stating that unexpected Paradigm shifts affects countries globally that the Quadrilateral grouping has been constituted keeping these things in mind.

· About QUAD:

• The quadrilateral security dialogue includes Japan, India, United States and Australia.
• In March 2020, the Quad members held a meeting with representatives from New Zealand, South Korea and Vietnam to discuss their respective approaches to the COVID-19 pandemic.
• Instigated by the US, this new grouping of key Indo-Pacific states was called “Quad Plus”.
• The quadrilateral security dialogue includes Japan, India, United States and Australia.All four nations find a common ground of being the democratic nations and common interests of unhindered maritime trade and security.

· Genesis of QUAD:

• The grouping traces its genesis to 2004 when the four countries came together to coordinate relief operations in the aftermath of the tsunami.
• It then met for the first time in 2007 on the sidelines of the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) summit.
• The intention was to enhance maritime cooperation between the four nations.

· Recent developments and QUAD:

• Today the enemy no longer needs to enter the border. He can also target our security apparatus from outside the border. 
• Alignment and re-alignment of global powers have added to the already changing security challenges.
• The changing equations in Afghanistan are a recent and important example of this. These circumstances have forced every country to think on its strategy today.
• The stand-off along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) with China in Eastern Ladakh
• A positive agenda built around collective action in humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, monitoring shipping for search and rescue or anti-piracy operations, infrastructure assistance to climatically vulnerable states, connectivity initiatives and similar activities.
• Quad has been constituted keeping these things in mind.

· Significance of the grouping:

• Quad is an opportunity for like-minded countries to share notes and collaborate on projects of mutual interest.
• Members share a vision of an open and free Indo-Pacific. Each is involved in development and economic projects as well as in promoting maritime domain awareness and maritime security.
• It is one of the many avenues for interaction among India, Australia, Japan and the US and should not be seen in an exclusive context.
• The Quad is a plurilateral mechanism between countries that share interest on specific matters.

· Prelims Hot-Link:

• What is Quad?
• Idea behind its genesis
• Objectives of Quad

Source:   https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/op-ed/aukus-could-rock-chinas-boat-in-the-indo-pacific/article37372664.ece

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