The QUAD group has decided to meet in Tokyo on October 6 to discuss pressing issues in the Indo-Pacific region, amidst tensions from China.
QUAD, or Quadrilateral Security Dialogue, is an informal strategic group formed between India, the USA, Australia, and Japan. This was an initiative of Japan Prime Minister Shinzo Abe in 2007, to unite Pacific democratic nations. This group concentrated on issues such as security, economic development, trade alliances, and foreign relations.
QUAD-Aims and actions
Due to the efforts of Shinzo Abe(Japan), Manmohan Singh(India), John Howard(Australia), and Dick Cheney(USA), QUAD originated. After its conception, Japan and Australia’s heads lost elections and new ones came in. India shifted its view as Chinese-friendly, and Australia left the group due to Chinese protests. In 2017, talks for rejuvenating the group were in the air, and as a result, the leaders reactivated the QUAD alliance. In the 2017 ASEAN summit, heads of all countries joined to work together under QUAD.
The QUAD group is attempting to make a free and open Indo-Pacific region for the operation of members. Their objective includes plans to tackle hostile threats from other countries and to take necessary actions.
Tokyo meet
The news in the air was the QUAD was planning to meet in October, and sources indicated that India might host the event. But, Japan’s new administration wishes to express its support to QUAD by hosting the event. So, the senior foreign officials of the countries met virtually to plan for the event. Because of the meet, Tokyo is gearing up to welcome these foreign officials in the future.
Subrahmanyam Jaishankar(India), Mike Pompeo (US), Marise Payne(Australia), and Toshimitsu Motegi(Japan) are the foreign affairs ministers meeting in Tokyo. US Secretary for State, Mike Pompeo, will also visit Seoul and Ulaanbaatar during his trip. US State Department Spokesperson Morgan Ortagus said that Pompeo would visit Ulaanbaatar on October 7 and Seoul on 7-8th October.
China Now Opposes Upcoming Quad Meeting In Tokyo, Will Be Attended By EAM Dr S Jaishankarhttps://t.co/x1pzPvcr9L
— Swarajya (@SwarajyaMag) September 29, 2020
The meeting of these ministers is seen as a move against China’s growing clout in the region. The nations look forward to operating together to ensure rules-based international order in the Indo-Pacific region. Some of the points in their plan may be establishing the rule of law, freedom of navigation and overflight, and peaceful settlement of disputes.
This event marks the first meet between foreign ministers of India and Japan since the COVID outbreak. After the succession of Yoshihide Suga as the Japanese PM on September 16, this is the first QUAD meet.
Japanese minister Motegi said in Tokyo, “It is time that foreign ministers of the four nations, who share the same ambitions over regional matters, exchange views over various challenges.”
Prime Minister, Yoshihide Suga of Japan, intends to meet with Mike Pompeo to strengthen relations with the USA.
Image courtesy of KOHUKU/Shutterstock