TOKYO (AP) – The leaders of the United States, Japan, Australia and India gathered in Tokyo on Tuesday for a summit of the Quartet. What is the group, where does it come from and why do diplomats continue to come up with strange names for different partnerships?
WHAT IS THE FOUR?
Formally a quadripartite security dialogue, Quad began as a free partnership following the devastating Indian Ocean tsunami in 2004, when the four countries came together to provide humanitarian and disaster relief to the affected region. It was formalized by former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe in 2007, but then stalled for nearly a decade, especially amid fears that Australia’s participation in the group would irritate China.
The group was resurrected in 2017, reflecting changing attitudes in the region towards China’s growing influence. The Trump and Biden administrations saw the Quad as the key to turning more focus on the Indo-Pacific, especially as a counterweight to China’s assertive action. Quad leaders held their first official summit in 2021 and met again virtually in March.
IS IT “ASIAN”?
China has complained that the group is an attempt to form an “Asian NATO”, although, unlike the European Alliance, there is no functioning mutual defense pact. Quad members say the group aims to deepen economic, diplomatic and military ties between the four countries. And although they do not often say so explicitly, these partnerships are designed to be a bulwark against Chinese aggression. In a March 2021 declaration outlining the Spirit of the Four, leaders said: “We bring different perspectives and are united in a shared vision of a free and open Indo-Pacific region. We strive for a region that is free, open, inclusive, healthy, anchored in democratic values and unrestricted by coercion. ”
WHO ARE THE NEW PERSONS?
Tuesday’s meeting marks the group’s first personal gathering for Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, who took office last October, as well as for Australia’s new Prime Minister Anthony Albanese. He was sworn in on Monday, just two days after Australia’s parliamentary elections and one day before the summit.
AND INDIA?
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is present as he faces growing global scrutiny over his government’s repression of minorities and some authoritarian tendencies. In addition, while other members of the Quartet have united in opposing Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, especially with sanctions, India has increased its purchases of Russian energy supplies since the invasion. In addition, the invasion has led to food shortages that are causing price spikes, but India has banned wheat exports following a heat wave that could make this global challenge much harder to solve.
WHO ELSE IS INVOLVED?
South Korea has expressed interest in joining the Quad, although US officials have said they are not considering adjusting the group’s membership. The group held Quad-plus meetings involving South Korea, New Zealand and Vietnam, which could form the basis for future enlargement or partnership in the region.
WHY THE COUNTRY NAME?
Diplomats cannot help themselves. Once different couples or partnerships start, they can’t resist assigning shorthand names like Quad or confusing acronyms like AUKUS (the new Australia-UK alliance.) Another acronym that caught attention this week while President Joe Biden was in Asia: IPEF, abbreviated by the US-proposed new trade pact called the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework.
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Miller reported from Washington.
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