QUAD and Malabar 2020
The first phase of the Malabar naval exercises is currently underway off the coast of Vishakhapatnam in the Bay of Bengal and there has been much enthusiasm and anticipation around it this year. The excitement is largely because for the first time the Malabar Exercise will see the participation of India, the US and Japan along with (after thirteen years) Australia – a grouping which is also informally identified as the Quad. Since the revival of the Quad project in 2017, a decade after it came into existence, there has been a considerable degree of promise and expectation from the grouping among those who subscribe to the idea of a Free and Open Indo-Pacific which includes littorals of the Indo-Pacific as well as countries external to the region.
The Malabar exercise began as an annual bilateral naval exercise in 1992 between India and the US and went on to include Japan in 2015. Taking place amid the ongoing global pandemic, the 2020 edition of the exercise will be a non-contact one and will, therefore, be solely off-shore and comprise anti-submarine, anti-surface and anti-air warfare operations, weapons firing, seamanship manoeuvres and cross deck landings.
The 2020 instalment
The exercise, now in its 24th instalment is set to be carried out in two phases with Phase-I being conducted in the Bay of Bengal and Phase-II in the Arabian Sea in mid-November. Phase-I will see the participation of Indian Navy units INS Ranvijay, multi-role frigate INS Shivalik, off-shore patrol vessel INS Sukanya, fleet tanker INS Shakti and submarine INS Sindhuraj with USN Ship USS John S McCain (a guided-missile destroyer), JMSDF Ship JS Onami (destroyer) with an integral SH-60 helicopter and RAN Ship HMAS Ballarat (long-range frigate) with an integral MH-60 helicopter. This phase, however, is noted as being less than impressive given that the assets deployed by Japan, Australia and the US constitute a less than credible line-up with past editions of the exercise having comprised of more sophisticated weapons and operations.
As four main democracies in the region, the Quad countries have been participating across different forums and stepping up bilateral, minilateral and multilateral levels of collaboration which are often focused mainly on defence cooperation, trade and information sharing. This year’s Malabar exercise should not be understood as a Quad military exercise, and, therefore, it is not surprising to see Australia take part. Naval exercises serve to augment interoperability, facilitate exchanges and enhance maritime capabilities. In the context of a generally Tense geopolitical Climate in the Indo-Pacific, the 2020 Malabar adds to a growing consensus regarding the preservation of secure seas and the existing rules-based order.
The journey towards a consolidation of this consensus has often been an ambiguous one marked by a struggle between acknowledging Beijing’s expansionism and infringements, and, on the other hand, being wary of taking a clear stance on this issue. Nonetheless, over the last number of years caution appears to have gradually given way to signalling towards a stronger intent together with the realisation (and urgent requirement) for actionable measures and more robust policies.
A broad mandate and Australia’s inclusion
Dubbed the Asian NATO, the Quad has a rocky past and has only recently developed a greater vigour through a more encouraging response from India and a more vocal Australia. The inclusion of Australia marks a shift in New Delhi’s position to steer clear of antagonising Beijing. While the mandate of the grouping remains quite broad, covering maritime security, connectivity counter-terrorism, resilient supply chains and humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, the rationale and driver for the Quad’s resurgence continue to stem from an increasingly assertive China. This in turn has led to greater efforts by ‘like-minded’ countries to consolidate across a range of platforms, together with a stronger focus on articulating shared interests.
However, for the Quad, it remains early days and unless this new momentum is sustained it will not only fail to find relevance but also serve to bolster interventionist forces. The Quad is also (still) in an informal grouping and, therefore, requires form and functionality in addition to consistent stewardship and clear direction (for it to become effective).
While China’s containment is, and will, continue to be the major driver, it is also imperative for the grouping to explore and cultivate other areas of cooperation to strengthen the scope and nature of the arrangement as envisaged by the four Quad countries. Understood from this perspective, the participation of Australia in this year’s Malabar exercise along with the three other participants elevates the geo strategic significance of the exercise and marks an additional sphere of engagement in the already many-tiered Network of alliances that the Indo-Pacific has given rise to.,
The Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (QUAD) is a strategic security dialogue between India, Japan, Australia, and the United States. The QUAD was first initiated in 2007, but it was not until 2017 that the four countries held their first official meeting. The QUAD has since become a key forum for cooperation on issues of regional security, economic cooperation, and counter-terrorism.
The QUAD’s focus on regional security is particularly important in Light of China’s growing military presence in the Indo-Pacific region. The QUAD countries have expressed concern about China’s militarization of the South China Sea, and they have pledged to work together to ensure freedom of navigation and overflight in the region. The QUAD has also been working to strengthen its cooperation on counter-terrorism, and it has condemned terrorist attacks in India, Japan, and Australia.
The QUAD’s economic cooperation is also important, as the four countries are major economic powers in the Indo-Pacific region. The QUAD has pledged to work together to promote economic Growth and development in the region, and it has also expressed support for the Regional Comprehensive Economic PARTNERSHIP (RCEP). The QUAD is also working to cooperate on issues such as Climate Change and cyber security.
The QUAD has been criticized by some for being an anti-China bloc, but the four countries have repeatedly stressed that the QUAD is not a military alliance. The QUAD is instead a forum for cooperation on issues of common interest, and it is seen by many as a way to balance China’s growing influence in the Indo-Pacific region.
The Malabar Exercise is a biennial naval exercise conducted by the navies of India, Japan, Australia, and the United States. The first Malabar Exercise was held in 1992, and the exercise has been held every two years since then. The Malabar Exercise is a major naval exercise, and it is seen as a sign of the growing cooperation between the four countries.
The Malabar Exercise 2020 was held from November 17 to 20, 2020. The exercise was conducted in the Bay of Bengal and the Arabian Sea, and it involved the participation of ships, aircraft, and personnel from the four countries. The Malabar Exercise 2020 was the largest and most complex Malabar Exercise to date, and it demonstrated the growing interoperability between the navies of the four countries.
The Malabar Exercise is an important part of the QUAD’s efforts to promote regional security and stability. The exercise provides an opportunity for the four countries to train together and to develop joint operational procedures. The Malabar Exercise also sends a strong message to China that the four countries are committed to working together to ensure peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region.
The QUAD is a new and evolving security dialogue, but it has already made significant progress in promoting regional security, economic cooperation, and counter-terrorism. The QUAD is a key forum for cooperation between India, Japan, Australia, and the United States, and it is expected to play an increasingly important role in the Indo-Pacific region in the years to come.
What is the Quad?
The Quad is a strategic security dialogue between India, Japan, Australia, and the United States. The Quad was first proposed in 2007 by Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, but it did not take off until 2017, when the four countries held their first official meeting. The Quad has since become a key forum for cooperation on issues such as maritime security, counter-terrorism, and freedom of navigation in the Indo-Pacific region.
What is Malabar?
Malabar is a series of naval exercises conducted by India, the United States, Japan, and Australia. The exercises began in 1992 as a bilateral exercise between India and the United States, and Australia joined the exercises in 2007. Japan joined the exercises in 2017, after the Quad was formed. The Malabar exercises are designed to improve interoperability between the four countries’ navies and to promote cooperation on maritime security issues.
What are the goals of the Quad?
The Quad’s goals are to promote peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region, to counter China’s growing influence in the region, and to promote freedom of navigation and overflight. The Quad also aims to cooperate on issues such as maritime security, counter-terrorism, and disaster relief.
What are the challenges facing the Quad?
The Quad faces a number of challenges, including China’s opposition to the group, India’s reluctance to be seen as part of an anti-China bloc, and the lack of institutionalization of the Quad. China has accused the Quad of being a “mini-NATO” that is aimed at containing China. India has been reluctant to be seen as part of an anti-China bloc, and has instead emphasized the Quad’s focus on cooperation on issues such as maritime security and counter-terrorism. The Quad also lacks any institutional structure, which makes it difficult to coordinate the group’s activities.
What is the future of the Quad?
The future of the Quad is uncertain. The group has made some progress in recent years, but it faces a number of challenges. It is unclear whether the Quad will be able to overcome these challenges and become a major force in the Indo-Pacific region.
- The Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (QUAD) is a strategic security dialogue between the United States, Japan, Australia, and India. It was first proposed by Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe in 2007.
- The QUAD has been described as a “mini-NATO” in the Indo-Pacific region. It has been criticized by China as an attempt to contain its rise.
- The QUAD has held several joint military exercises, including Malabar 2020.
- Malabar 2020 was the largest ever joint military exercise between the QUAD countries. It was held in the Bay of Bengal and Arabian Sea from November 17 to 20, 2020.
- The exercise involved more than 20 ships, 200 aircraft, and 25,000 personnel.
- The exercise was aimed at enhancing interoperability and cooperation between the QUAD countries in maritime security.
- The QUAD has been described as a “geopolitical game-changer” in the Indo-Pacific region. It is seen as a counterweight to China’s growing influence in the region.
- The QUAD is likely to continue to play a major role in the Indo-Pacific region in the years to come.
Here are some MCQs on the topic of the QUAD:
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The Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (QUAD) is a strategic security dialogue between which four countries?
(A) The United States, Japan, Australia, and India
(B) The United States, Russia, China, and India
(C) The United States, France, Germany, and the United Kingdom
(D) The United States, Canada, Mexico, and Brazil -
The QUAD was first proposed by which Japanese Prime Minister?
(A) Shinzo Abe
(B) Junichiro Koizumi
(C) Yoshiro Mori
(D) Tomiichi Murayama -
The QUAD has been described as a “mini-NATO” in the Indo-Pacific region. What does NATO stand for?
(A) North Atlantic Treaty Organization
(B) North Atlantic Treaty Organization for the Indo-Pacific
(C) North Atlantic Treaty Organization for the Pacific
(D) North Atlantic Treaty Organization for the Indian Ocean -
The QUAD has been criticized by China as an attempt to contain its rise. What is China’s official name?
(A) The People’s Republic of China
(B) The Republic of China
(C) The People’s Republic of the Congo
(D) The Republic of the Congo -
The QUAD has held several joint military exercises, including Malabar 2020. Where was Malabar 2020 held?
(A) The Bay of Bengal
(B) The Arabian Sea
(C) The Pacific Ocean
(D) The Indian Ocean -
Malabar 2020 was the largest ever joint military exercise between the QUAD countries. How many ships, aircraft, and personnel were involved?
(A) More than 20 ships, 200 aircraft, and 25,000 personnel
(B) More than 10 ships, 100 aircraft, and 10,000 personnel
(C) More than 5 ships, 50 aircraft, and 5,000 personnel
(D) More than 2 ships, 20 aircraft, and 2,000 personnel -
The exercise was aimed at enhancing interoperability and cooperation between the QUAD countries in what area?
(A) Maritime security
(B) Air defense
(C) Counter-terrorism
(D) Cyber security -
The QUAD has been described as a “geopolitical game-changer” in the Indo-Pacific region. What does this mean?
(A) The QUAD is likely to have a major impact on the balance of power in the Indo-Pacific region.
(B) The QUAD is likely to lead to a new era of cooperation and stability in the Indo-Pacific region.
(C) The QUAD is likely to lead to a new era of conflict and instability in the Indo-Pacific region.
(D) The QUAD is likely to have no significant impact on the Indo-Pacific region. -
The QUAD is likely to continue to play a major role in the Indo-Pacific region in the years to come. What are some of the reasons for this?
(A) The QUAD countries share common interests in the Indo-Pacific region.
(B) The QUAD countries are working together to address common challenges in the Indo-Pacific region.
(C) The QUAD countries are working together to promote peace