Preeti Sharma, B.A. (Hons.) Global Affairs 2019.
The Quadrilateral Dialogue is a Diplomatic and Military Arrangement between like-minded countries to share knowledge in fields of Defence, Maritime Security, Infrastructure and other areas of mutual interest. Geographically, it covers the Indo-Pacific Region cornered off by India, Japan, USA and Australia. The Quad as we know today is an attempt to Revive the original idea initiated in 2006.
Quad 1.0, though a brilliant idea wasn’t valiantly supported, protected or respected. The one and only meeting which happened over a decade ago didn’t have a plan of action, didn’t result in solidified promises or collaborations. The biggest failure of this meeting can be pointed out as the inability to fix a second meeting. Change in Governments, contrasting self-interests, lack of co-ordination, pushback by China and the reluctance of the leaders to upset the Asian Giant unfortunately implied the death of the Quad.
As recently as 2017, talks of this Indo-Pacific Strategic Alliance have resurfaced after a decade long hiatus. It seems as though leaders of the member countries have a new found sense of enthusiasm and will to finally collaborate over their mutual interests. To make The Quad survive this time around, the members need to solidify their collaboration, unite in their expectations as well as agenda, plan a future and be prepared for backlash from China. It is essential for the countries to have a better sense of trust and reliability for Quad 2.0 to have a better trajectory than its predecessor. It does already show some positive signs in terms of better Chemistry between the leaders, having already met five times in contrast to the earlier singular.
China still stands as one of the biggest threats to the success of The Quad. While it successfully dismantled the first version, the current picture has been painted differently. Over the last decade, China’s relations with the member countries have changed drastically. Chinese influence and censorship in Australian Politics and Universities, Japan-China dispute over the Senkaku Islands as well as the Economic Probe in the United States has put the Asian power in a sensitive position with the Countries. India herself, does not support the Chinese hegemon or its aggressive nature. The territorial dispute, border face-offs and the budding relationship with Pakistan makes India apprehensive of its presence. This time around, seems like the members stand together in their resolve to face China.
The Quad had stated time and time again, to reassure China and the rest of the world that the purpose of this arrangement was to discuss development in areas of mutual interest only. However, China’s fears have remained consistent over the years. Beijing believes that the Quad has been designed to contain China’s growth and power. Especially with the revival, these fears have only become far more intense. Aware of its own aggression, China fears the Quad knowing that its own behaviour in the Asian Region, with the neighbours and the opponent Super-Power warrants for attempts at containing its power. Although the Quad has no intentions to attack China, they will stand firm in their defence and resolve to counter any Chinese aggression and assertion. This was symbolically evident in the choice made by the four leaders to sit together facing the Chinese President at the G20 summit, 2019.
Although the Quad plans to stick to its original intentions of mutual assistance, support and diplomatic discussions, China will decide its own fate in terms of any face offs with the member countries. The shift of focus from Asia-Pacific to Indo-Pacific has already begun, in the eyes of the Western Super-Power, USA. At this point, it seems like China has unintentionally nudged these countries closer to one another. The Quad stands unified in their aim to maintain a free and open region and will most likely retaliate in case of aggression or threat to the same.
The opinions expressed and suggestions made in the article belong solely to the author themselves. Diplomania and O.P. Jindal Global University do not endorse the same.
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