Over the last two decades, the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (QUAD) has emerged as a cornerstone of regional stability and strategic cooperation in the Indo-Pacific. Comprising all democracies and vibrant economies – India, the US, Australia and Japan, the Quad has evolved into a dynamic strategic partnership addressing regional challenges. Recently, all four Quad member nations reaffirmed their commitment to work towards a free, open and peaceful Indo-Pacific, commemorating the 20th anniversary of the Quad cooperation.

Early Development of the Quad Grouping

Initially formed as a response to the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami, the Quad began as a “Core Group” of the US, Japan, India and Australia, which came together intending to provide swift aid. Although the group disbanded after the recovery effort, the quadrilateral framework remained influential. In 2006, Japan’s Prime Minister Shinzo Abe proposed an “Arc of Freedom and Prosperity,” which envisioned a network of like-minded states across Eurasia. In 2007, Shinzo Abe’s visionary leadership brought the Quad into strategic discourse, framing it as a partnership committed to promoting democratic values and regional stability, evident through his famous “Confluence of the Two Seas” speech in the Indian Parliament. The first formal Quad meeting occurred in the same year, following increased diplomatic engagement. However, internal differences, diverging national priorities and external pressures, especially from China, led to its dissolution by 2008.

Quad’s Revival and Strategic Shift

At the start of his second tenure as the prime minister in 2012, Abe repackaged his Quad proposal, calling for the formation of an Asian ‘Democratic Security Diamond.’ Over the next decade, the Quad nations focused on strengthening bilateral and trilateral ties leading to the development of ‘mini-laterals’. This facilitated increased momentum eventually paving the way for Quad’s revival in 2017, with an emphasis on promoting a “Free and Open Indo-Pacific.” India and Japan, in particular, emerged as key components as part of the India-Japan-US trilateral relationship and the India-Japan-Australia trilateral relationship. The Quad nations also expanded military exercises and ministerial dialogues, notably the 2015 Malabar naval exercise, where Japan joined as a permanent member.

Moreover, China’s increasing aggression in the region post-2012 also led to the crystallization of aligned interests underpinned through Quad. While China sees the Quad as a containment strategy against it, the grouping has garnered support, especially among the ASEAN nations that were skeptical about the Quad’s role. A shift in attitude has been observed in the past decade with ASEAN nations realising that a stronger QUAD will be a positive driving force for the region’s development. The Quad’s trajectory has been anything but linear. However, its evolution underscores Quad’s adaptability and enduring relevance. The Quad’s aim continues to evolve with an increasing emphasis on counterterrorism, economic cooperation, connectivity and regional stability.

Expanding Quad’s Agenda

According to the Joint Statement from the Quad Foreign Ministers commemorating the 20th Anniversary of ‘Quad Cooperation’, “Quad countries now work together and with partners across the Indo-Pacific to address complex challenges, from fighting climate change, cancer, and pandemics, to bolstering quality infrastructure, maritime domain awareness, STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) education, counter-terrorism efforts, critical and emerging technologies, and cyber security.” The statement also underscored Quad’s commitment to ‘working together in responding to the future needs of the region.’

The Quad nations have backed disaster relief and preparedness initiatives throughout the Indo-Pacific and continue innovating methods to respond swiftly to emergencies. The statement emphasised the Quad’s vision underpinned by effective regional institutions. The Quad nations reiterated their steadfast support for the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific, ASEAN’s unity and centrality, and regional architecture such as the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) and the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA).

Achievements: Key Outcomes of Quad’s Cooperation

To guarantee sustained involvement in the Indo-Pacific area, the Quad nations have announced new projects and bolstered their collaboration through several high-level gatherings. According to the Fact Sheet: 2024 Quad Leaders’ Summit, these programs include the Quad Health Security Partnership, which focuses on health security and pandemic preparedness and the Quad Cancer Moonshot, which addresses cancer, especially cervical cancer. The Quad also intensified its efforts to provide disaster relief and humanitarian aid, particularly in response to the 2024 landslide in Papua New Guinea collectively providing over USD 5 million. It introduced a new training program Maritime Initiative for Training in the Indo-Pacific (MAITRI) and the Indo-Pacific Partnership for Maritime Domain Awareness (IPMDA) in the area of maritime security.

Additionally, the Quad is working towards strengthening cooperation in critical technologies like Open Radio Access Network (RAN) with a commitment of USD 20 million, Artificial Intelligence (AI) and biotechnology with an inaugural $7.5 million in funding opportunities for joint research. A Memorandum of Cooperation has been signed among the four nations’ science agencies for connecting research communities and promoting shared research principles. The grouping also promotes high-quality infrastructure initiatives like the Ports of the Future Partnership aimed at enhancing the sustainability, security and resilience of port infrastructure across the Indo-Pacific.

With an emphasis on industries including cybersecurity, renewable energy and aerospace, the Quad Investors Network (QUIN), introduced at the 2023 Quad Leaders’ Summit, seeks to increase investments in critical technologies. In 2024, QUIN backed significant investments and collaborated on initiatives such as a Quantum Centre of Excellence and a startup campus as well as venture accelerators in Tokyo. The Quad also aims to address climate change with programs such as the Quad Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation Package (Q-CHAMP) which includes the Climate Information Sharing Services initiative and investments in sustainable energy. In addition, the Quad Partnership for Cable Connectivity and Resilience focuses on improving internet connectivity and the Cyber Challenge campaign targets cyber security and awareness.

Furthermore, through initiatives like the Quad Fellowship and scholarships, space collaboration for disaster and climate management, the Quad fosters educational exchanges, technological innovation and collective resilience to address regional and global challenges effectively.  It also focuses on counterterrorism addressing threats such as unmanned aerial systems (UAS) and chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear (CBRN) attacks. In 2023, the Quad hosted its first Counter-Terrorism Working Group (CTWG), which will continue to meet yearly to review CT threats, Quad CT best practices and ways the Quad can cooperate to mitigate terrorist attacks through strategic messaging, intelligence sharing and consequence management. The Quad’s collective efforts are aimed at creating a more resilient and integrated Indo-Pacific.

Conclusion

The Quad’s evolution from a humanitarian effort into a strategic partnership stands as a testament to its adaptability and relevance. As India prepares to host the Quad Summit in 2025 with the inaugural Regional Ports and Transportation Conference, Quad’s dedication to a stable Indo-Pacific will continue to shape the regional and global landscape. With its strong leadership, cooperative efforts and emphasis on shared objectives, the Quad is well-positioned to continue to be a pillar of Indo-Pacific security and prosperity.

Kaveri Jain is a UGC NET-JRF-qualified PhD candidate in International Relations at the Amity Institute of International Studies, Noida. Her research focuses on India-Japan relations during the Shinzo Abe era, with a keen interest in Indo-Pacific regional security.