Quad Navies to undertake the annual Malabar naval exercises, from August 21, off the coast of Guam, in the Indo-Pacific. Which of the following country is not included in the Quad country list?
VerifiedAnswer: China
Explanation:
The Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (Quad) is a strategic security dialogue between four major democratic nations. The group consists of the United States, India, Japan, and Australia. China is notably not a member of this alliance and, in fact, is often viewed as the primary concern that brought these four nations together.
The Quad was originally formed in 2007 but became dormant due to various political considerations. It was revived in 2017 as concerns grew about China's increasing assertiveness in the South China Sea and the broader Indo-Pacific region. The four member countries share common values of democracy, rule of law, and commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific.
The annual Malabar naval exercises originally began as a bilateral exercise between India and the United States in 1992. Over the years, it has evolved to include all four Quad nations. Japan became a permanent participant in 2015, and Australia rejoined in 2020 after a gap of 13 years. These exercises demonstrate the growing naval cooperation among the Quad countries.
The exercises typically involve various naval operations including anti-submarine warfare, air defense, surface warfare, and maritime interdiction operations. They serve multiple purposes: enhancing interoperability between the navies, sharing best practices, and demonstrating collective commitment to maintaining peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region.
China views the Quad alliance and the Malabar exercises with suspicion, often describing them as attempts to contain China's rise and influence in the region. Beijing has criticized these exercises as contributing to military tensions and has called for more inclusive regional security arrangements that would include China rather than seemingly target it.
The location of these exercises off the coast of Guam is particularly significant as Guam is a US territory that serves as a strategic military hub in the Western Pacific. This positioning allows the Quad navies to practice operations in waters that are geographically important for maintaining sea lanes and ensuring freedom of navigation in the Indo-Pacific region.
