The Quadrilateral Security Dialogue, also known as QSD and more commonly called the “Quad,” is a security partnership between Australia, India, Japan, and the United States. Since its origin as a joint humanitarian effort in response to the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami, the Quad has evolved into an intergovernmental platform for addressing modern Indo-Pacific security concerns, such as maritime security challenges. As tensions escalate, the Quad should emphasize maritime cooperation and security efforts to align with its intent on maintaining regional stability.
In recent years, the Quad has increased collaboration between member states through infrastructure development, economic cooperation, climate change, health security, and humanitarian assistance. Despite the importance of these issue areas, maritime security should take precedence as it directly addresses significant regional threats. Particularly in the wake of various acts of Chinese aggression in the South China Sea (SCS), such as territorial violations, naval confrontations, and the militarization of disputed islands, prioritizing maritime security is crucial to counter these threats to regional stability.
Although Quad member states may have differing priorities in areas such as climate or economic cooperation, maritime security is the shared interest that unifies them against a shared security challenge. China’s persistent threats and activities around Taiwan and the SCS make maritime security a point of urgency. Emphasizing maritime security, such as through freedom of navigation voyages, provides the Quad with legitimacy against aggression while bolstering its ability to serve as a stabilizing influence in the region.
The Quad’s Indo-Pacific Partnership for Maritime Domain Awareness (IPMDA) showcases how concentrating on maritime security could benefit Quad members and their regional partners. The IPMDA framework is a significant step in supporting and building regional capacity in maritime security by enhancing surveillance and security innovation. By moving forward with similar initiatives, the Quad could reinforce its position as a leader in Indo-Pacific security, thus offering regional allies and partners practical tools to counter illegal operations and respond to acts of coercion. Focusing on strengthening this sector will not only secure vital sea lanes in maintaining the status quo but also increase trust among Quad members.
Prioritizing strategic maritime security can lead to opportunities for the Quad to engage with other Indo-Pacific nations facing similar security challenges. For example, countries like Vietnam and the Philippines are interested in maritime security due to territorial disputes with China and concerns over illegal fishing. Recently, the Philippines has also sought to increase maritime cooperation, given the recent Chinese actions of ship ramming, usage of water cannons, and other unsafe naval maneuvers against Filipino assets.
While the Quad’s expanded agenda and goals enhance its appeal as a cooperative framework, a broad focus across many areas may impact its effectiveness in adequately addressing regional challenges. Unlike security arrangements such as NATO, the Quad lacks a formalized mandate and relies on the resolve of its members, as some states in the region do not want formal treaty commitments due to their dependence on China. As such, Quad acts as a middle ground for cooperation on mutual interests as an informal grouping. For example, India seeks to counter China’s influence in the region but does not want to fully antagonize China.
However, an additional emphasis on maritime security offers Quad members, including India, a tangible and impactful way to cooperate on maritime security without the commitment to a formal alliance. Recent initiatives include personnel from Australia, Japan, and India taking part in training exercises on a U.S. Coast Guard vessel in 2025. This focus aligns with the Quad’s activities, and the current regional landscape allows for a flexible and practical approach to cooperation.
The Quad security partnership continues to gain strategic importance as geopolitical tensions increase in the Indo-Pacific region. While the Quad has expanded its focus to include healthcare cooperation, technological innovation, economic resilience, and disaster relief, the core theme of maritime security remains critical to maintaining regional stability. A stronger emphasis on maritime security would allow the Quad to establish itself as a vital component in Indo-Pacific security, thus building a security framework that supports lasting peace in the region.
Dharma Bhatt is an MA student in the International Security program at George Mason University. He currently holds a BS in Psychology from the University of Maryland – Baltimore County. While his focus is primarily on security matters in Europe and the Indo-Pacific, he has also taken an interest in intelligence, counter-terrorism, and military strategy. He also maintains a personal blog site known as “isecthoughts,” where he shares his opinions on matters about international relations. After graduation, Dharma hopes to pursue a career in national security and foreign affairs.
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