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Has the Quad lost its way?
Critics say the loose coalition is lowering its ambitions.
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(From left) Australian PM Anthony Albanese, Indian PM Narendra Modi, US President Joe Biden and Japanese PM Fumio Kishida at the Quad leaders’ summit in the US on Sept 21.
PHOTO: REUTERS
The Economist
The idea was that grand government buildings in Delhi would host 2024’s meeting of the Quad – a coalition comprising America, Australia, India, and Japan. That was before prosecutors in New York uncovered an attempt to assassinate an American activist of Sikh heritage, allegedly at the direction of Indian intelligence officers. US President Joe Biden decided against visiting India (though his staff blamed scheduling challenges, not diplomatic worries, for that call). Instead, on Sept 21, America’s President hosted the leaders of the Quad countries at a suburban school in his home state of Delaware.
Under Mr Biden, the Quad has become a fixture of Asian diplomacy. His aides say that it is here to stay. Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump’s advisers say that, if elected, he would maintain it, too. The fact that 2024’s summit took place despite what would have once been an explosive controversy between America and India suggests strong support in both countries for the institution. Yet critics warn that the Quad is losing focus and has lowered its ambitions.
