Will QUAD change the security architecture in the Indo-Pacific?

The Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (QUAD) was established in 2007 by the US, Japan, Australia and India to address the growing security challenges in the Indo-Pacific. The main objectives of the alliance include promoting a rules-based order, ensuring freedom of navigation and protecting territorial integrity and economic stability in the region. Although QUAD was initially dissolved, it celebrated a revival in 2017 and has since established itself as a flexible and effective cooperation forum based on shared values and covering a wide range of topics. Unlike traditional alliances, QUAD is an informal forum with no mutual defense obligation, characterized by regular summits and work in topic-specific groups.

Since resuming its activities, QUAD has achieved concrete results, particularly in areas such as health security, technology, climate change, maritime surveillance and infrastructure development. During the COVID-19 pandemic, QUAD contributed significantly to the provision of vaccines in the Indo-Pacific and strengthened production capacities for medical goods. In the field of technology, the alliance promotes the responsible use of innovative technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI) and quantum computing. As part of the ‘Indo-Pacific Partnership for Maritime Awareness’ initiative, QUAD supports safety and transparency in the region's seas through modern surveillance technologies. In addition, significant investments in sustainable infrastructure projects and digital connectivity have been announced to promote economic development and strengthen the region's resilience.

Strategically, QUAD aims to maintain the geopolitical balance in the Indo-Pacific and counter China's growing influence without explicitly acting as an anti-China alliance. India plays a key role in this, as it brings a unique perspective to the cooperation due to its geopolitical position, strategic autonomy and its function as a representative of the "global South". This multilateral partnership between the four democracies will help to promote stability in the region and bring about lasting change to the security architecture.

QUAD also offers potential for closer cooperation between the EU and Germany. Joint projects in the areas of climate protection, infrastructure development and technology could be positioned as a sustainable alternative to the Chinese Belt and Road Initiative. By strengthening bilateral relations with the QUAD member states, European players could better represent their geopolitical and economic interests in the Indo-Pacific. QUAD has thus proven to be a dynamic and forward-looking platform that responds effectively to the region's security and economic challenges in a flexible and informal manner.

Read the entire analysis: ‘Will QUAD change the security architecture in the Indo-Pacific?’ here as a PDF. Please note, to date this publication is only available in German.