
India with the United States; Japan and Australia known as Quad, is further emerging as an important security alliance in the Indo-Pacific region. At their recent ministerial meeting, the Quad unambiguously declared that they were against any forceful alteration of the status quo in the Asia-Pacific region, which may be a signal to developing tensions in the South and East China Seas.
All these co-ordinated efforts show that Quad is determined to uphold peace, stability, and rule based international order as there is emerging threats in the region. But how does this opposition affect the configuration of the international sphere? And how does this change the role of the Quad at the expansion of the new world order?
Quad’s Position: Upholding a Rules-Based Order
More than anything else, the common ground that the Quad has is that it opposes any move that harms a rules-based order in the international community. This order based on sovereignty, territorial integrity, international law, is regularly threatened by actions that penetrate the stability with the force of force.
What does “unilateral actions” mean?
Unilateral action can be understood as any move to change certain status quo, including the borders, trade and other connections, as well as zones of sea, and others without any consent and discussion. Such actions always work to the detriment of national sovereignty and the stability in the region.
In the Indo-Pacific context, these actions frequently point to:
Military assertion of sovereignty over contested waters such as the South China Sea.
Construction of militarized artificial islands, equipment of the zones with military facilities.
Trade measures or sanctions and exploitation of resources carried out by an autonomously dominating state.
Key Statement from the Quad
During the meeting, the Quad ministers issued a joint statement emphasizing:
Opposition to unilateral force: ”We firmly condemn any aggressive actions back or fore that are aimed at the alteration of the existing order or at fuelling confrontation in the region.”
Support for international law: The participants stressed again the role of UNCLOS in the regulation of the relations and the rejection of force in the solution of the disputes.
Promotion of peace and stability: The Quad pledged to proceed to contribute to a more free, open, and inclusive Indo-Pacific for the advantage for all.
Context: But this is not the only question that has to be asked: Why is the rather stable status quo currently under threat?
The reminder from the Quad comes at a time when conflict in the Indo-Pacific region has become sharper. Current major threats are the maritime tensions, militarization of the region, and increasing tendencies for economic sanctions.
The South China Sea Dispute
The Southeast Asia sea continues to be sensitive because of proximities claims resulting in territorial conflicts among China, Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei, and Taiwan. Beijing’s great “Nine-Dash Line”, its constructing and deploying missile systems to artificial islands, and its aggressive patrol have irritated countries.
Impact on Freedom of Navigation: These actions violate freedom of navigation through one of the most important straits used for trade around the globe as $3.4 trillion of goods transit through it every year.
UNCLOS Violations: The South China Sea-conteyinging territorial claims made by China have been ruled unlawful under the international law including in 2016 by the Permanent Court of Arbitration.
East China Sea and Taiwan
Other than the South China Sea, conflict is emerging in the East China Sea, especially the islets that include the Senkaku/Diaoyu Islands that China and Japan further claim. Also, China’s escalating threat on Taiwan militarily has also caused global outrage.
Economic Coercion
Besides, setting up a military stance, one of the common trends observed in relations between the great powers and the weaker ones is economic pressure. For example, Beijing is using trade reprisals to punish countries such as Australia and the Philippines for political offenses.
Quad’s United Front: The press release of the ministerial meeting came up with the following highlights.
The recently concluded Quad ministerial talks displayed a clear message of non-alignment to actions which seek to foment instability in the IPI region. Here are the key takeaways:
It shall continue to support the Freedom of Navigation LOS.
All Quad ministers stressed their group’s collective role protecting the freedom of navigation and overflight in the international seas. They cajoled the coupling of the U.N Convention on the Law of the Sea and openness of the sea lanes so vital for exportation.
Enhancing of Security on the Seas
The Quad realizes the increasing threats in the maritime domain and endeavored to recommence providing maritime domain awareness, building the capacity and conducting naval drills. These initiatives aim to:
Any aggressive act the a country undertakes to assert sovereignty should be avoided within the disputed waters area.
The last is advance the ability of the smaller states in the Indo-Pacific region to defend their maritime domain.
Enhance cooperation between Quad nations so as to achieve faster reaction to security challenges.
Countering Coercion
The Quad made a commitment to restrain economic and political pressure by partnerships and framework. For example:
Economic Resilience: Understanding with the purpose of enhancing international value chains and minimizing reliance on a particular country.
Strategic Infrastructure: Ensuring open line of infrastructure financing to overcome debt diplomacy trap.
Concentrate on emerging markets Offering customer value Price systematically and bundle offers smartly Communicate broadly and target specifically
In order to counter technological coercion and protect sensitive industries, Quad reaffirmed its commitment on 5G, cyber security, AI and other related technological front, through innovation with an intention to serve the purpose of peace and sustainable development.
But what does all of this mean for the Indo-Pacific region?
The Quad’s opposition thus shows greater readiness to counter behaviors that COVID-19 has not deterred from disrupting the stability of the Indo-Pacific region. Here’s how this will impact the region:
1. Supporting the Region
Thus, the Quad’s position has a comforting implication for the smaller countries of the Indo-Pacific region since many of them are in a position to be coerced or pressured. If aligned collectively, the Quad gives these nations the negotiation leverage they require to refuse threats that compromise their sovereignty.
2. Balancing China’s Influence
While the Quad does not explicitly name China in its statements, the message is clear: The message is clear that any action which does not fit international standards will not remain unopposed. This is in order to counterbalance China’s increasing projection and assertiveness in the continent.
3. Reinforcing Multilateralism
Through the Quad’s commitment to respect for the rule of law and to maintaining peace, the Quad affirms multilateralism. To this extends enhances and supports institutions & frameworks worldwide including UNCLOS by promoting a level playing ground for all countries.
Challenges and Criticism with Quadrilateral Forum
However, there is always opposition with reference to the formation of the Quad and the pressures that come with it more so the idea of containing China.
Allegations of Provocation
Some opponents have claimed that the Quad for its military maneuvers and positioning stimulus formation of tension between countries instead of developing strategic diplomacy.
Need for Broader Inclusivity
However, the role of the Quad as a new variable has become clear, but its success is unlikely without wider regional cooperation. ASEAN nations and other stakeholders will need to be engaged as well to meet the Todo List.
Internal Challenges
If the Quad nations differ in policies, including trade policies, military strategies or else, this does not encourage unity. For instance, India focuses on the policy of strategic independence, whereas the US is ready to act more actively in relation to China.