Role of QUAD Group in the Indian Ocean: Strategic Implications and Geopolitical Dynamics

Abstract

The informal strategic partnership consisting of the United States, India, Japan and Australia, known as the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (known as QUAD) has become a force in the Indian Ocean. In view of the Indian Ocean’s importance as a global trade and energy security conduit, the QUAD's focus on maritime security and regional stability is highly relevant in the current geopolitics. In this paper, the role of the QUAD is assessed in relation to its potential to influence the regional balance of power against China’s rising dominance both due to the BRI and military expansion. The key findings enable us to analyse the strategic initiatives of the QUAD which are joint naval exercises, intelligence sharing and humanitarian assistance and together aim at a regulation maritime order. In turn, India’s leadership in the region and the contributions other QUAD partners make to the region reinforce the importance of collaboration to maintain freedom of navigation and economic security. Despite internal problems and external criticism, however, the QUAD is still a key means to dealing with security concerns and building regional partnerships. The paper argues that the QUAD’s activities help stabilize, secure key sea lanes of communications (SLOCs), and balance power dynamics within the Indian Ocean and therefore constitute a crucial element of Indo-Pacific geopolitics.