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 a Quad?
Formally a quadripartite security dialogue, Quad began as a free partnership following the Indian Ocean tsunami in 2004, when the four countries came together to provide humanitarian and disaster relief. It was formalized in 2007 by then-Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, but has been dormant for nearly a decade, especially amid fears that it will irritate China.
The group was resurrected in 2017, reflecting a changing attitude towards China’s growing regional influence. The Trump and Biden administrations saw the Quad as the key to a rotating focus on the Indo-Pacific region, especially as a counterweight to China’s assertive action. Quad leaders held their first official summit in 2021 and met again virtually in March.
Anthony Albanese, Joe Biden, Fumio Kishida and Narendra Modi in the office of the Japanese Prime Minister. Photo: Zhang Xiaoyu / EPA
Is this “Asian NATO”?
China has complained that the group is an attempt to form an “Asian NATO”, although unlike the 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 faces?
Tuesday’s meeting marks the group’s first personal gathering for Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, who took office in October 2021, and for Australia’s new Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, who was sworn in on Monday, two days after Australia’s parliamentary elections and one the day before the summit.
What about 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. Other members of the Quartet have united in opposing Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, especially with sanctions, but India has increased purchases of Russian energy supplies since the start of the war. 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 membership. The group held Quad-plus meetings, which included South Korea, New Zealand and Vietnam, which could form the basis for future enlargement or partnership.
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