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Quad Powers: India and Australia in Focus

India and Pakistan tensions shape Quad's evolving role in Indo-Pacific regional stability.

QUAD—India, Australia, Japan and the US–foreign ministers (photo:X@DrSJaishankar)

The evolving dynamics of global diplomacy have increasingly brought India and Australia closer together, a partnership marked by shared democratic values, mutual respect, and a commitment to a rules-based international order. In a recent development, India’s Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar held discussions with Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong, highlighting the deepening of ties between the two nations. The dialogue also covered the ongoing developments within the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (Quad), which also includes Japan and the United States.

Jaishankar’s visit to Washington, primarily to attend US President-elect Donald Trump’s inauguration ceremony, underscores India’s efforts to cement its ties with global partners. Beyond ceremonial participation, the visit holds strategic importance as Jaishankar is scheduled to meet not only Marco Rubio, the Trump administration’s incoming Secretary of State but also the foreign ministers of Japan and Australia, two key partners in the Quad alliance.

 

The relationship between India and Australia has undergone significant transformation in recent years. Historically, their ties were limited to trade and cultural exchanges, but the geopolitical landscape of the Indo-Pacific region has added new dimensions to their partnership. Both nations have recognized the need to work collaboratively to address shared concerns, particularly in areas such as maritime security, counterterrorism, and climate change.

The economic aspect of their relationship has also grown steadily. Bilateral trade between India and Australia has seen a consistent rise, with sectors like education, mining, and renewable energy playing pivotal roles. The signing of the India-Australia Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement (ECTA) marked a significant step toward bolstering trade ties. Additionally, Australia’s large Indian diaspora has further cemented people-to-people connections, fostering goodwill and mutual understanding.

However, it is in the realm of strategic and defense cooperation where the India-Australia partnership has truly gained momentum. Regular naval exercises, such as AUSINDEX, and India’s inclusion in the Malabar naval drills alongside Australia, Japan, and the United States, have underscored their commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific.

The Quad alliance, initially conceptualized in 2004 as a response to the Indian Ocean tsunami, took on a more strategic role in 2007 under the leadership of Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. It aims to address the growing challenges in the Indo-Pacific region, particularly concerning China’s assertive rise and its implications for regional stability.

The Quad brings together four major democracies—India, Australia, Japan, and the United States—that share a commitment to maintaining a free, open, and inclusive Indo-Pacific. While its objectives are not explicitly anti-China, the Quad’s focus on maritime security, infrastructure development, and supply chain resilience is widely viewed as a counterbalance to Beijing’s influence.

Over the years, the Quad has evolved from a loosely connected grouping into a more formalized strategic alliance. This transformation has been facilitated by regular ministerial meetings, joint military exercises, and collaborative initiatives in areas like vaccine distribution and climate change. The Quad’s significance has grown further in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, which exposed vulnerabilities in global supply chains and underscored the need for reliable partnerships.

India and Australia play crucial roles within the Quad framework. Their geographic positions—India as a South Asian giant and Australia as a key player in the Pacific—make them indispensable to the alliance’s objectives. Both nations share concerns over China’s aggressive posture in the Indo-Pacific, particularly its militarization of disputed territories in the South China Sea and its influence in smaller Pacific nations.

The two countries have worked closely to enhance maritime domain awareness, sharing intelligence and collaborating on defense technology. Their bilateral defense cooperation agreements, such as the Mutual Logistics Support Agreement (MLSA), have further streamlined joint operations and facilitated interoperability between their armed forces.

Jaishankar’s meeting with Penny Wong reaffirmed their shared commitment to the Quad’s goals. Discussions likely revolved around enhancing collaboration in critical technologies, securing supply chains for rare earth minerals, and addressing emerging security threats in the Indo-Pacific. Australia’s renewed focus on diversifying its trade partnerships, moving away from over-reliance on China, aligns well with India’s “Atmanirbhar Bharat” (self-reliant India) initiative, creating opportunities for deeper economic ties.

The Quad’s importance lies not just in countering China’s growing influence but also in providing a framework for addressing global challenges. The alliance has increasingly focused on non-traditional security issues, such as climate change, cyber threats, and public health crises. Initiatives like the Quad Vaccine Partnership, which aims to ensure equitable access to COVID-19 vaccines in the Indo-Pacific, demonstrate the grouping’s ability to deliver tangible benefits to the region.

The future of the Quad depends on its ability to remain adaptable and inclusive. While its primary members share common goals, the alliance must also engage with other regional players, such as ASEAN nations, to build a broader coalition for a stable Indo-Pacific. India and Australia, with their shared vision and complementary strengths, are well-positioned to lead these efforts.

Despite its achievements, the Quad faces significant challenges. China’s diplomatic and economic clout continues to pose a formidable obstacle. Beijing has criticized the Quad as an attempt to create a “mini-NATO” in Asia and has sought to undermine its cohesion by targeting individual member states through economic coercion and diplomatic isolation.

Additionally, differing priorities among Quad members could potentially hinder their collective efforts. While the United States and Australia prioritize countering China’s influence in the Pacific, India’s focus often extends to its immediate neighborhood, including tensions with Pakistan and its border disputes with China. Balancing these diverse priorities will be crucial for the Quad’s long-term success.

For India and Australia, the challenge lies in maintaining momentum in their bilateral relationship while contributing effectively to the Quad’s objectives. Their collaboration must extend beyond defense and security to include areas like technology, education, and climate resilience. Joint efforts in renewable energy, particularly in harnessing solar and hydrogen power, could set an example for sustainable development in the Indo-Pacific.

As Jaishankar’s visit to Washington unfolds, his meetings with Quad counterparts will likely focus on charting the alliance’s future direction. The involvement of high-level leaders like Marco Rubio and Japanese representatives underscores the seriousness with which the Quad is approaching its mission.

The views expressed in this article are the author’s own and do not necessarily reflect Coverpage’s editorial stance.

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