The Quad countries, also known as the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue or simply the Quad, is a strategic forum between the United States, Japan, Australia, and India. The group was first established in 2007, with the goal of promoting security and stability in the Indo-Pacific region. The Quad countries have held a number of meetings and exercises, and have discussed issues such as maritime security, counterterrorism, and disaster relief. The Quad countries are considered key actors in the Indo-Pacific region, and their cooperation is seen as a counterbalance to China's growing assertiveness in the region.
The Quad was
first proposed in 2007, when Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe put forward the idea
of a security dialogue among the four countries. The first meeting of the Quad
took place in 2007, but the initiative was halted after the change of
government in Australia, but it was re-established in 2017. The Quad countries
are considered key actors in the Indo-Pacific region, and their cooperation is
seen as a counterbalance to China's growing assertiveness in the region.
However, the Quad has faced some challenges, particularly with regard to China's reaction to the initiative. China has viewed the Quad as an attempt to contain its rise and has been critical of the group. Despite these challenges, the Quad countries have continued to hold meetings and engage in dialogue, and many observers believe that the initiative has the potential to play a significant role in shaping the security and economic landscape of the Indo-Pacific region in the years to come.