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QUAD
QUAD is a grouping of 4 nations -India, USA, Australia, and Japan formed in 2017.
Aims
To safeguard the interests of democratic nations in the Indo-Pacific region and address global challenges.
On pressing crises, such as Covid-19, climate change and emerging technologies.
Why in News
Indian Prime Minister addressed the first summit of the leaders of the QUAD (Quadrilateral Framework) in 2021. The meeting was hosted by the USA on a virtual platform.
Quad Vaccine Partnership:
To ensure “equitable” access to vaccines to counter the pandemic.
To a plan to pool their financial resources, manufacturing capabilities, and logistical strengths.
Vaccine Maitri Initiative is an initiative launched by India to give Covid-19 vaccines to neighboring countries.
-The Line of Actual Control (LAC) was discussed by the QUAD leaders as one of several examples of Chinese aggression.
-Issues related to Hong Kong, Xinjiang, and Taiwan Strait.
-Concerns regarding Chinese cyberattacks on the USA targets (Microsoft Exchange and SolarWinds) and also cybersecurity incidents in India, Japan, and Australia were discussed.
India’s Stand:
-QUAD is united by its democratic values and will remain an important pillar of stability in the Indo-Pacific region.
-India has Called the meet an extension of the ancient Indian philosophy ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’, which regards the world as one family.
America’s Stand:
-QUAD is not a military alliance or North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) equivalent, it is an opportunity to cooperate on economics, technology, climate and security.
-Maritime security, humanitarian, and disaster response are core to the QUAD agenda.
-QUAD is going to be a vital arena for cooperation in the Indo-Pacific region.
-QUAD grouping could be the start of a new, permanent, and powerful regional grouping of like-minded democracies.
Japan’s Stand:
-Acknowledged the new dynamism that QUAD has received because of the meeting of the top leaders of the member countries.
-It will firmly advance its cooperation to realise a free and open Indo Pacific, and to make a tangible contribution to the peace, stability, and prosperity of the region, including overcoming Covid-19.
Transformation of Quad into A Trade Bloc:
- Inclusive Indo-Pacific Region: Quad member countries agreed that a free, open, prosperous, and inclusive Indo-Pacific region will serve the long-term interests of all countries in the region and of the world at large.
- Quad support a “free, open and prosperous” Indo-Pacific region, could be a basis of a trade agreement and turn it into a major trade bloc.
- QUAD could directly counter China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).
- A military bloc in presence of India seems to be quite unacceptable .
-A military bloc may bring all great powers (US, China, India, Russia) to the brink of a war, which is not in the interest of global peace.
- Blue Dot Network: It is a multi-stakeholder initiative (led by the US along with Japan and Australia) to bring together governments, the private sector, and civil society to promote high-quality, trusted standards for global infrastructure development.
- Tackling Global Challenges: Challenges emanating from Covid-19 highlighted the need for improving the resilience of supply chains and self-sufficiency also.
-The transformation of Quad into a trade bloc can help tackle future global challenges more effectively.
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UPSC Civil Services Examination Previous Year Question (PYQ) Q. Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (Quad) is transforming itself into a trade bloc from a military alliance, in present times Discuss. (2020) |
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