Guidelines for Quad Partnership on HADR Signed
The QUAD countries have signed the Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) partnership guidelines recently.
- The purpose of this partnership is to take necessary steps given the vulnerabilities that exist in the Indo-Pacific region. In addition, these guidelines will also serve as a dedicated framework for Quad participants to coordinate their disaster-resilient actions in the region.
- These guidelines will enhance their resource and physical capabilities, interoperability and operational synergy for HADR operations.
- Operational action will be guided by the core principles of humanity, neutrality and impartiality. These basic principles are set forth in United Nations General Assembly Resolution 46/182 on the provision of humanitarian aid.
- The guidelines call for zero tolerance towards negligence in dealing with sexual exploitation, abuse and harassment.
The Quadrilateral Security Dialogue
- Quad is a group of India, America, Australia and Japan.
- All four nations, being democracies, share a common ground and also support the common interest of uninterrupted maritime trade and security.
- Its objective is to ensure and support a “free, clear and prosperous” Indo-Pacific region.
- The idea of Quad was first mooted in 2007 by the Prime Minister of Japan, Shinzo Abe. However, the idea did not develop further, as Australia distanced itself from China’s pressure on Australia.
- Finally in the year 2017, India, Australia, America and Japan came together to form this “quadrilateral” alliance.
Key objectives of the Quad:
- Establish a rules-based global order,
- Ensuring free of navigation and
- Establish a liberal trading system.
It is considered a coalition of maritime democracies. All members of this forum keep it active through meetings, occasional summits, exchange of information and military exercises.
Quad, there is no military alliance for India. It is a multilateral cooperation for humanitarian aid and anti-trafficking action.
Source – The Hindu
