A Reprieve for the Quad?

Coming shortly after President Donald Trump’s visit to Beijing and the announcement that the US will build a constructive relationship of strategic stability with China, the 11th Quad Foreign Ministers’ Meeting held in New Delhi on May 26, 2026, has aroused considerable interest. It resulted in the announcement of further Quad initiatives, and has appeared to provide a reprieve for the Quad. 

In this policy brief, the author comprehensively reviews the development of the Quad, from its inception in 2007 to its dormancy of over a decade and revival in 2017. The changes in China’s regional posture, and the resulting concerns of partner countries, led to the resurrection of the Quad in President Trump’s first term. It was then restructured by the Biden administration as a leading soft-power coalition providing regional public goods in the Indo-Pacific. The author identifies the various Quad initiatives that made it a significant presence in regional architecture.

Though the second Trump Administration initially signalled continuity of the Quad, its America First orientation, disruptions of the global order,  changed approach towards China, and actions that led to a downturn in the India-US relationship, have led to increasing questions about the Quad’s relevance.

Observing that China’s response to the recent Quad Ministerial meeting has been relatively low key, the author explores factors that impinge directly on the continued credibility of the Quad partnership. These include prioritising diplomacy, advocacy of a regional order based on international law, delivery of public goods, the geographical focus of the Quad, the accommodating US approach towards China, and possible increased pressures for militarisation of the Quad.

The author concludes that the Quad’s political coherence has diminished to a level that it is no longer a serious concern for China. Nevertheless, the recent Ministerial Meeting is a signal that the US has not entirely abandoned the Quad. Given the vastly changed strategic environment around India, and growing uncertainties about the US role, India should focus more decisively on strengthening its strategic positioning in the Indian Ocean, while also seeking enhanced security cooperation with Japan and Australia. 

To read this DPG Policy Brief Volume XI, Issue 16, please click “A Reprieve for the Quad?”.