India Hosts Quad Summit Amid Indo-Pacific Tensions”

Why in News: Escalating tensions in the South China Sea and Taiwan Strait, alongside China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) expansion, necessitated this summit. It marks India’s first hosting since the Quad’s revival in 2017, reflecting its rising diplomatic stature.

Why Important:

Prelims: Know Quad members (India, US, Japan, Australia), the Indo-Pacific strategy, and key summits for MCQs.

Mains: GS-II – Offers scope to discuss India’s role in multilateral forums, its strategic autonomy amid US-China rivalry, and maritime security (e.g., “How does the Quad strengthen India’s geopolitical stance?”). Highlights India’s shift from non-alignment to multi-alignment.

Key Points About the Quad

1. Event and Date: India hosted the Quad Summit on March 21, 2025, in New Delhi, involving leaders from India, the United States, Japan, and Australia.
2. Objective: The summit aimed to counter China’s growing assertiveness in the Indo-Pacific region, emphasizing collective security and cooperation among the four nations.
3. Key Agreements:
   • Joint Maritime Patrols: The Quad nations agreed to conduct coordinated maritime patrols to enhance security and monitor activities in the Indo-Pacific waters.
   • Green Energy Fund: A $2 billion fund was established to support green energy projects in Southeast Asia, aligning with sustainable development goals and countering China’s infrastructure influence (e.g., Belt and Road Initiative).
4. Strategic Messaging: PM Narendra Modi underscored the Quad’s commitment to a “free and open Indo-Pacific,” signaling a unified stance against unilateral actions that threaten regional stability.
5. Context: This was India’s first time hosting the Quad Summit since its revival in 2017, highlighting India’s increasing leadership role within the grouping.

Significance of the Quad in This News

• The Quad, originally formed in 2007 and revived in 2017, is a strategic forum to ensure a rules-based international order in the Indo-Pacific, particularly in response to China’s maritime expansion (e.g., South China Sea disputes) and economic dominance.
• The March 2025 summit reflects the Quad’s evolution from a dialogue to an action-oriented alliance, with tangible outcomes like patrols and funding, aimed at balancing power dynamics in the region.
• It positions India as a pivotal player in global geopolitics, aligning with its Act East Policy and broader Indo-Pacific strategy.

About Quad :

• Founded: Informal roots in 2004; formalized in 2007 by Japan’s Shinzo Abe.
• Revived: 2017, driven by China’s regional assertiveness.
• Members: India, US, Japan, Australia—four democracies with shared Indo-Pacific interests.
• Milestones: First leaders’ summit in 2021, India’s hosting in 2025.
• Focus: Maritime security, green energy, disaster relief, and countering China’s influence