Q.) Discuss the possible benefits and associated concerns with India’s membership of QUAD.

Ans– Quadrilateral security dialogue (QUAD) Is an informal strategic partnership of four countries that is India, Japan, the United States in Australia. it was formed in 2007 but did not work. it again gets revived in 2017 due to the emergence of the importance of Indo- The pacific region and the increasing influence of China.

Recently, a virtual meeting was held in March 2021 where various doesn’t work taken like 5G, vaccination, Climate change, etc.

The Quad’s destiny has consistently rested in India’s grasp. Australia, Japan, and the United States are now limited by a profound organization of formal deal collusions, covering key exchanges, and knowledge-sharing game plans. Drawing India — with the world’s second-biggest populace, third-biggest protection spending plan, fifth-biggest economy, and a raising key contest with China — into a more prominent arrangement with the other three majority rule governments has been vital to theirs for north of 10 years.

Objective–

1. Free, open inclusive Indo- Pacific region.
2. Rule-based international order.
3. Humanitarian assistance.
4. Safeguard interests of democratic countries.

Benefits to India–

1. Countering China– all the members of QUAD have an issue with China. Hence, they act as a corporation to India on issues such as Terrestrial disputes, Sovereignty, e and help in a peaceful resolution.
2. Revive the economy after covid-19– due to production, the economy of India has suffered much and even the gross domestic producers went negative. member countries are witnessing India as a manufacturing hub and will support India in establishing a new supply chain. recently, e in a meeting vaccination manufacturing is given to India which will help in boosting the pharmaceutical sector.
3. Assistance in the defense sector– member countries will help in defense through joint patrols, exchange of strategic information, etc. it will help India to overcome limitations of Finance, Naval capacity, and technological and surveillance capabilities.
4. Indo-Pacific region– India is concerned with the influence of China in the Indo-Pacific region. hence, India has the vision of a free, open inclusive Indo-Pacific region and maintaining rule-based international order.
5. Other issues– QUAD will help India in other issues like Counter Terrorism, connectivity, and structure of development, Maritime and cyber security, etc.

Concerns to India–

1. Unclear agenda– there is a lack of coherent purpose, Strategic objective, and institutional framework.
2. China’s influence– member countries of QUAD have substantial trade relations with China. for example, Austria’s demanded for checking of the emergence of covid Warriors, and China imposed more tariffs on the import of beef and banned the export of barley.
3. Relation with Russia– Russia being India’s old friend is now moving towards China. it is because of India’s more alignment with the United States.
4. Different capacities and Edward and sharing– QUAD member countries have different capacities. hence, unable to corporate with each other in every sector.
5. The difference in priorities– more alignment was the United States would hamper the relation with our neighboring countries and Mein resulting in moving towards China. the same is happening with Russia also.
6. More focused on Maritime issues rather than land or border issues.
7. China watches QUAD as the Asian version of NATO which will further increase tensions between India and China.

Way forward–

1. It is required to expand the QUAD Membership to more countries.
2. Need to make a balance among our earlier for this is like Act East policy, neighborhood first policy with QUAD.
3. QUAD Should come up with some structure projects to counter China’s OBOR (one belt one road) initiative. The Blue Dart network initiative of the United States, Japan, and Australia is a bold step.
4. Cooperating with other regional partners including ASEAN, African littoral Nations, France, Pacific Island Nation, etc, and forums like BIMSTEC, Indian Ocean Commission, etc. Will strengthen the Global Position of QUAD.

New Delhi has for some time had one or two serious doubts about the Quad. The Indian government was broadly baffled by Australia’s choice to pull out from the primary Quad. At the point when India was simply starting to explore different avenues regarding a nearer arrangement with the United States and its accomplices, it believed it had overstretched by getting the gather with minimal key advantage to show for it.
The experience didn’t keep India from proceeding to support collaboration with the others reciprocally and three-dimensionally. In addition, it welcomed Japan to re-join the yearly U.S.- Indian Malabar maritime practices in 2009 and to turn into an extremely durable part in 2015. However, New Delhi had a few lingering doubts about the quadrilateral configuration, careful about estranging China, perceptive of homegrown resistance to the gathering, and uncertain of Australia’s responsibility.