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Quad is an informal strategic forum comprising India, US, Australia, and Japan.
- Its objective is to secure a rules-based global order, freedom of navigation and liberal trading system and work for an open, stable and prosperous Indo-Pacific.
- In 2007, Quad held its inaugural meeting on sidelines of ASEAN Regional Forum.
Key highlights of meeting
- Expand Indo-Pacific Partnership for Maritime Domain Awareness into Indian Ocean Region (IOR) to ensure safety and security of the critical sea lanes.
- Plan to launch Quad Maritime Legal Dialogue under Quad Maritime Security Working Group to support rules-based maritime order in Indo-Pacific.
- Finalised standard operating procedures for Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief operations to enable an effective, immediate and coordinated response mechanism.
- Implementing Women, Peace and Security (WPS) Agenda including its application to disaster risk reduction.
Significance of Quad for India
- Counterbalance China’s growing presence in IOR, including its Belt and Road Initiative which has led to building of port facilities in countries neighbouring India.
- With rising significance of Indo-Pacific, QUAD provides India with a powerful platform to advance East Asia’s interests and further strengthen its Act East policy.
- Evolving Foreign policy strategy by aligning with like-minded countries.
- Supplementing India’s defense capabilities especially in maritime domain.
