Quad Foreign Ministers Meeting

The foreign ministers of the Quad grouping will convene on May 26. This marks the 11th meeting of its kind. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar will host counterparts from Australia, Japan, and the United States at Hyderabad House.

Key Discussion Topics

• Critical minerals
• Maritime and energy security
• Impact of the war in West Asia on security

Historical Background

The Quad was initially formed as an informal arrangement after the Indian Ocean tsunami in December 2004, involving India, Japan, Australia, and the US. In 2007, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe formalized it into the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue.

• The group faced challenges due to lack of cohesion and accusations of being anti-China.
• Revived in 2017 in response to China's growing influence.

Structural Characteristics

The Quad differs from typical alliances:

• No secretariat or permanent decision-making body.
• Focus on strategic dialogue and joint military exercises rather than collective defence.
• Challenges in maintaining strategic coherence due to varying economic ties with China.

Objectives and Strategic Focus

• The 2020 Malabar naval exercises marked the Quad's official grouping post-2017 revival.
• The Quad's agenda includes issues beyond maritime security, such as: 
  • Critical and emerging technologies
  • Resilient supply chains
  • Cybersecurity and semiconductor cooperation
  • Critical minerals and energy security
• Geopolitical disruptions and pandemic-induced supply chain issues have emphasized economic resilience.

Maritime Security and Quad's Flexibility

• Maritime security remains central due to Indo-Pacific tensions and China's expanding military presence.
• The Quad has focused on flexible coordination rather than forming a formal military alliance.
• Quad Plus potential expansion to include South Korea, New Zealand, and Vietnam.

The group's flexibility has allowed it to adapt to political changes within member countries.