Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (Quad)
Why it Matters?
Quad Foreign Ministers, meeting in Washington, strongly condemned the Pahalgam terror attack and called for swift justice, while refocusing the group’s agenda on Indo-Pacific security, economy, technology, and disaster response.
What You Should Know?
It was formed in 2004 after the Indian Ocean tsunami for disaster relief coordination among India, the US, Japan, and Australia.
It was formalised in 2007 under Japanese PM Shinzo Abe with the first official meeting and the Malabar Exercise.
It was temporarily dissolved between 2008 and 2012 as Australia withdrew due to China’s concerns.
It was revived in 2017 with a broader focus on Indo-Pacific security, technology, and regional cooperation.
Its Vision Statement, titled Enduring Partners for the Indo-Pacific, was launched in 2023.
It is an informal strategic grouping of maritime democracies comprising India, the US, Japan, and Australia.
It aims to support a free, open, inclusive, and rules-based Indo-Pacific.
It promotes democratic values, regional stability, and economic cooperation.
It works through six leader-level working groups on climate, emerging tech, cyber, health, infrastructure, and space.
It holds annual Quad Leaders’ Summits and Foreign Ministers’ Meetings.
It represents 24 percent of the world’s population, accounts for 35 percent of global GDP, and contributes to 18 percent of global trade.
News:
The Quad adopted a “new agenda” focusing on four key areas:
Maritime security
Economic prosperity and security
Critical and emerging technologies
Humanitarian assistance and disaster response