Four countries have one agenda to stop China's efforts to dominate the Indo-Pacific. China's expansionism threat is not new and neither the 'Quad' or the Quadrilateral alliance between India, Australia, United States and Japan.

However, in the past, the group has been shy of openly declaring its intentions.&nbsp;

Watch |&nbsp;

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Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/quad-is-an-idea-whose-time-has-come-but-ideas-need-implementation-333013">Quad is an idea whose time has come. But ideas need implementation</a>

The group met for the first time in 2017 and a few years before this these countries had joined hands for ad hoc relief operations after the 2004 tsunami.&nbsp;

The prime ministers of India, Japan, Australia met with the then US Vice President Dick Cheney.&nbsp;

The first 'Quad' summit happened on the sidelines of the ASEAN Forum.

Since then, the idea of the alliance has been around, made news, but fallen short of taking any substantive action.&nbsp;

A decade later, though, the alliance was resurrected in 2017 and the members of 'Quad' had a working-level meeting.&nbsp;

And now, amid the pandemic, the foreign ministers have met in Tokyo, which reflects a clear sense of purpose, an urgency to take a harder stand against China.&nbsp;

America is not mincing words on China and Australia has named the Asian giant as a threat in its strategic assessment.&nbsp;

Australia's department of defence has said that China is engaged in active pursuit of "greater influence in the Indo-Pacific".&nbsp;

India has already locked in a border standoff with China and since May, New Delhi has imposed curbs on Beijing's investments.

More than 100 Chinese apps have been banned in India.&nbsp;

And, Japan's territorial disputes in the East China Sea have flared up again.&nbsp;

Japan was the country that proposed this alliance and now it has become the host for the meeting of the group's foreign ministers.

<h2>What will the 'Quad' do?</h2>

The US wants the alliance to have a clear military dimension.&nbsp;

Reports suggest Washington is considering inviting air forces of the group's allies for training at the Andersen Air Force Base in Guam

The Guam base is a key US military facility in the Pacific and may also be China's first target if hostilities escalate between the two countries.&nbsp;

Last month, the Chinese Air Force released a propaganda video that simulated an attack on the base. But eagle-eyed fact-checkers were quick to point out how Chinese stole clips from Hollywood movies to make this fake video.&nbsp;

In recent months, China has made its intentions clear. It is indulging in more fights and staking a claim on more territories.&nbsp;

The time is right for all the four nations to move beyond being a symbolic alliance.&nbsp;

It must set out clear objectives and each ally must commit to tangible contributions.&nbsp;

They could start by naming China as the common enemy first.&nbsp; 
&nbsp;

Four countries have one agenda to stop China's efforts to dominate the Indo-Pacific. China's expansionism threat is not new and neither the 'Quad' or the Quadrilateral alliance between India, Australia, United States and Japan.

Four countries have one agenda to stop China's efforts to dominate the Indo-Pacific. China's expansionism threat is not new and neither the 'Quad' or the Quadrilateral alliance between India, Australia, United States and Japan. However, in the past, the group has been shy of openly declaring its intentions. Watch | Also read | Quad is an idea whose time has come. But ideas need implementation The group met for the first time in 2017 and a few years before this these countries had joined hands for ad hoc relief operations after the 2004 tsunami. The prime ministers of India, Japan, Australia met with the then US Vice President Dick Cheney. The first 'Quad' summit happened on the sidelines of the ASEAN Forum. Since then, the idea of the alliance has been around, made news, but fallen short of taking any substantive action. A decade later, though, the alliance was resurrected in 2017 and the members of 'Quad' had a working-level meeting. And now, amid the pandemic, the foreign ministers have met in Tokyo, which reflects a clear sense of purpose, an urgency to take a harder stand against China. America is not mincing words on China and Australia has named the Asian giant as a threat in its strategic assessment. Australia's department of defence has said that China is engaged in active pursuit of "greater influence in the Indo-Pacific". India has already locked in a border standoff with China and since May, New Delhi has imposed curbs on Beijing's investments. More than 100 Chinese apps have been banned in India. And, Japan's territorial disputes in the East China Sea have flared up again. Japan was the country that proposed this alliance and now it has become the host for the meeting of the group's foreign ministers. What will the 'Quad' do? The US wants the alliance to have a clear military dimension. Reports suggest Washington is considering inviting air forces of the group's allies for training at the Andersen Air Force Base in Guam The Guam base is a key US military facility in the Pacific and may also be China's first target if hostilities escalate between the two countries. Last month, the Chinese Air Force released a propaganda video that simulated an attack on the base. But eagle-eyed fact-checkers were quick to point out how Chinese stole clips from Hollywood movies to make this fake video. In recent months, China has made its intentions clear. It is indulging in more fights and staking a claim on more territories. The time is right for all the four nations to move beyond being a symbolic alliance. It must set out clear objectives and each ally must commit to tangible contributions. They could start by naming China as the common enemy first.

Quad: A potential force to counter China needs to move beyond symbolism

To counter China's assertiveness in the Indo-Pacific region, India, the US, Japan and Australia's collective alliance known as 'Quad' agreed to increase coordination for the creation of a free and open Indo-Pacific.&nbsp;

Japan said the Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and Australian Foreign Minister Marise Payne affirmed bolstering a free, open and rules-based international order in a statement released after the meeting in Tokyo.&nbsp;

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/at-quad-fms-meet-jaishankar-calls-for-respect-for-territorial-integrity-and-sovereignty-332905">At Quad FMs meet, Jaishankar calls for respect for territorial integrity and sovereignty</a>

The four countries also vowed to coordinate in ensuring peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific, the statement said as was reported by Kyodo news agency.&nbsp;

The 'Quad' meeting took place amid China's growing expansionism ambitions in the Indo-Pacific, South China Sea and in eastern Ladakh.

PM Suga in his address said a free and open Indo-Pacific is "widely recognised by the international community as a vision of peace and prosperity of this region," and that his administration's basic policy is to "further continue advancing our members to this end."

"The international community is facing multiple and various challenges. This is exactly why right now is the time that we must further deepen our coordination with as many countries as possible that share our vision," the Japanese PM said.&nbsp;

India's Jaishankar in his opening remarks said since all the members are vibrant and pluralistic democracy, they remain committed to "upholding the rules-based international order, underpinned by the rule of law, transparency, freedom of navigation in the international seas, respect for territorial integrity and sovereignty and peaceful resolution of disputes."&nbsp;

"Our objective remains advancing the security and the economic interests of all countries having legitimate and vital interests in the region," Jaishankar said.

To counter China's assertiveness in the Indo-Pacific region, India, the US, Japan and Australia's collective alliance known as 'Quad' agreed to increase coordination for the creation of a free and open Indo-Pacific.

To counter China's assertiveness in the Indo-Pacific region, India, the US, Japan and Australia's collective alliance known as 'Quad' agreed to increase coordination for the creation of a free and open Indo-Pacific. Japan said the Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and Australian Foreign Minister Marise Payne affirmed bolstering a free, open and rules-based international order in a statement released after the meeting in Tokyo. Also read | At Quad FMs meet, Jaishankar calls for respect for territorial integrity and sovereignty The four countries also vowed to coordinate in ensuring peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific, the statement said as was reported by Kyodo news agency. The 'Quad' meeting took place amid China's growing expansionism ambitions in the Indo-Pacific, South China Sea and in eastern Ladakh. PM Suga in his address said a free and open Indo-Pacific is "widely recognised by the international community as a vision of peace and prosperity of this region," and that his administration's basic policy is to "further continue advancing our members to this end." "The international community is facing multiple and various challenges. This is exactly why right now is the time that we must further deepen our coordination with as many countries as possible that share our vision," the Japanese PM said. India's Jaishankar in his opening remarks said since all the members are vibrant and pluralistic democracy, they remain committed to "upholding the rules-based international order, underpinned by the rule of law, transparency, freedom of navigation in the international seas, respect for territorial integrity and sovereignty and peaceful resolution of disputes." "Our objective remains advancing the security and the economic interests of all countries having legitimate and vital interests in the region," Jaishankar said.

To counter China's assertiveness, Quad calls for 'free' and 'open' Indo-Pacific

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Quad: A potential force to counter China needs to move beyond symbolism

To counter China's assertiveness, Quad calls for 'free' and 'open' Indo-Pacific