Quad Spearheading 3 Broad Initiatives For Indo-Pacific

Dec 03, 2021

The ForeignSecretary  said, “Broadly, there are three kinds of initiatives that the Quad is handling – the first set is aimed at the well-being of the people of the Indo-Pacific region. One such example is the Quad vaccine initiative, which seeks to supply one billion doses of Covid-19 vaccine to countries in the region by the end of 2022.”

Foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla on Thursday pointed out that the Quad nations have taken three initiatives: First, improve wellbeing of people in the Indo-Pacific Region. Second, addressing contemporary issues such as cyber security and 5G where Quad seeks to adopt and implement shared standards, principles and norms; and promote secure and trustworthy equipment and infrastructure. And, third, collaborate on initiatives such as the fellowship programmes.

Addressing ‘Quad and Future of the Indo-Pacific’ at the 5th India-US Forum (a Track 1.5 dialogue organised by the Ministry of External Affairs and leading public-policy body Ananta Centre), Shringla said, “Broadly, there are three kinds of initiatives that the Quad is handling – the first set is aimed at the well-being of the people of the Indo- Pacific region. One such example is the Quad vaccine initiative, which seeks to supply one billion doses of Covid-19 vaccine to countries in the region by the end of 2022.”

The second set of initiatives will bring together the four countries to address contemporary issues such as cyber security and 5G. It may be recalled that the Quad Summit in September decided to focus on critical technologies.

Under the third category, the foreign secretary said, the Quad countries will collaborate on initiatives such as the Quad fellowship programme.

In a subtle reference to the group’s utility in counterbalancing China, Shringla noted, “Quad partnership has the capacity to address contemporary global challenges and mutual concerns, while highlighting the importance of a rules-based international order. Our ability to work together as democratic nations would also bolster respect for international law and ensure peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region.”

Courtesy: ET