Shaping Security Beyond Arms: The Quad and Human Futures in the Indo-Pacific
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.30649/pmr.v4i2.88Keywords:
Human Security, Quad, Indo-Pacific, Non-Traditional Security, Regional Cooperation, Climate GovernanceAbstract
In contemporary world politics non-traditional security is a major concern, which is unlike preceding centuries. Numerous non-state actors such as terrorist networks, drug cartels, civil wars, and maritime piracy networks known as new age threats. Apart from such non-traditional non-state and transnational security threats environmental degradation is a gravest threat to the future existence of the modern sovereign entities. Whereas non-traditional security is closely related to human security i.e. human security is a core component or lens through which (non-traditional security) NTS is understood and addressed. In 2004 Quad were established to coordinate humanitarian assistance and disaster relief in Indian Ocean Tsunami. The Quad’s regional strategy has evolved from a purely strategic-security framework to one that prioritizes human-centric concerns. By addressing health, climate resilience, disaster relief, and digital empowerment, the Quad is aligning its policies with the principles of human security, thus broadening its influence as a multilateral platform committed to inclusive, sustainable development in the Indo-Pacific. Therefore, this study is being conducted through qualitative research method, and the research design are descriptive and analytical based on secondary data, this paper aims to explore the intricate linkages between non-traditional security challenges and the evolving role of the Quad in shaping a human-centric strategy for the Indo-Pacific region.
Downloads
References
Centre for Social and Economic Progress. (2023). Leveraging the Quad for India’s climate ambitions. Retrieved from Centre for Social and Economic Progress: https://csep.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/5-1.pdf
E3G. (2021). The Quad on climate. Retrieved from E3G: https://www.e3g.org/news/the-quad-on-climate/
Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India. (2022, May 24). Guidelines for Quad Partnership on Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) in the Indo-Pacific. Retrieved from Ministry of External Affairs: https://www.mea.gov.in/bilateral-documents.htm?dtl/35745/Guidelines_for_Quad_Partnership_on_Humanitarian_Assistance_and_Disaster_Relief_HADR_in_the_IndoPacific
Australian Department of Home Affairs. (n.d.). Quad Senior Cyber Group. Retrieved from Department of Home Affairs, Government of Australia: https://www.homeaffairs.gov.au/about-us/our-portfolios/cyber-security/quad-senior-cyber-group
Cabinet, A. G. (2023). Health Security | Quad Leaders' Summit 2023 | PM&C. Retrieved from Austrilian Government Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet: https://www.pmc.gov.au/resources/quad-leaders-summit-2023/health-security
Cabinet, A. G. (2023). Indo-Pacific Partnership for Maritime Domain Awareness. Retrieved from Austrilian Government Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet: https://www.pmc.gov.au/resources/quad-leaders-summit-2023/indo-pacific-partnership-maritime-domain-awareness
Craig, S. L. (2007). NONTRADITIONAL SECURITY THREATS. Strategic Studies Institute, US Army War College.
Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet. (2023). Quad Leaders' Summit 2023: Climate. Retrieved from Austrilian Government: https://www.pmc.gov.au/resources/quad-leaders-summit-2023/climate
DFAT. (2023, May 20). Quad Vaccine Partnership. Retrieved from Indo-Pacific Centre for Health Security: https://indopacifichealthsecurity.dfat.gov.au/covid-19-vaccine-access/quad-vaccine-partnership?utm_source=chatgpt.com
Fabiani, D. (2024, December 11). Cyber Security through the QUAD. Retrieved from Sasakawa Peace Foundation: https://www.spf.org/iina/en/articles/diletta_01.html
Haldar, S. (2024, October 04). Does the Quad have a security agenda? Retrieved from Observer Research Foundation: https://www.orfonline.org/expert-speak/does-the-quad-have-a-security-agenda?utm_source=chatgpt.com
India, U. E. (2024, May 20). Fact sheet: Quad Leaders' Summit. Retrieved from U.S. Department of State: https://in.usembassy.gov/fact-sheet-quad-leaders-summit/?utm_source=chatgpt.com
International Energy Agency. (2022). Quad Statement of Principles on Clean Energy Supply Chains in the Indo-Pacific. Retrieved from International Energy Agency: https://www.iea.org/policies/18073-quad-statement-of-principles-on-clean-energy-supply-chains-in-the-indo-pacific
ISEAS. (2023). 2023/63 “The Quad: Less than the Sum of its Parts?” by Nick Bisley. Retrieved from ISEAS YUSOF ISHAK INSTITUTE: https://www.iseas.edu.sg/articles-commentaries/iseas-perspective/2023-63-the-quad-less-than-the-sum-of-its-parts-by-nick-bisley/?utm_source=chatgpt.com
Koga, K. (2023). Institutional Dilemma: Quad and ASEAN in the Indo-Pacific. Retrieved from Asian Perspective: https://muse.jhu.edu/article/881958?utm_source=chatgpt.com
Kumar, R., & Khan, A. (2021, May 08). The Quadrilateral Security Dialogue’s Path to Institutionalization: A He and Feng Perspective. Retrieved from Air University: https://www.airuniversity.af.edu/JIPA/Display/Article/3768292/the-quadrilateral-security-dialogues-path-to-institutionalization-a-he-and-feng/
Kwek, I. (2021, April 14). The Quad’s uneasy place in Southeast Asia. Retrieved from The Interpreter: https://www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpreter/debate/quad?utm_source=chatgpt.com
Lee, M. (2023, March). Quad FMs, wary of China’s might, push Indo-Pacific options. Retrieved from AP news: https://apnews.com/article/indo-pacific-diplomacy-india-us-australia-japan-china-17ebf36a78b413a1946f6bfec5546074
Ministry of External Affairs, G. o. (2024). Fact Sheet: Quad Countries Launch Cancer Moonshot Initiative to Reduce the Burden of Cancer in the Indo-Pacific. Retrieved from Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India: https://www.mea.gov.in/bilateral-documents.htm?dtl/38326/
Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japa. (2023). Quad Joint Leaders’ Statement 2023. Retrieved from https://www.mofa.go.jp/mofaj/files/100509241.pdf
Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan. (2022, May 24). Quad Joint Leaders’ Statement. Retrieved from Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan: https://www.mofa.go.jp/files/100347798.pdf
Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan. (n.d.). Quad Cybersecurity Partnership: Joint Principles. Retrieved from Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan: https://www.mofa.go.jp/files/100347801.pdf
Mizo, R. (2024). The Quad, maritime security, and climate change. Retrieved from Toda Peace Institute: https://toda.org/global-outlook/2024/the-quad-maritime-security-and-climate-change.html
Mizo, R. (2025, July 12). The Emerging Quad 3.0: Prioritizing a Hard Security Agenda. Retrieved from Toda Peace Institute – Global Outlook: https://toda.org/global-outlook/2025/the-emerging-quad-3.0-prioritizing-a-hard-security-agenda.html
MoE, GoI. (2024, July 29). Quad Foreign Ministers’ Meeting Joint Statement. Retrieved from Ministry of External Affairs: https://www.mea.gov.in/bilateral-documents.htm?dtl/38044/Quad+Foreign+Ministers+Meeting+Joint+Statement#:~:text=They%20are%20integrated%20and%20indivisible,Foreign%20Ministers'%20meeting%20in%202025.
MoEA, GoI. (2023, May 20). Quad Cybersecurity Partnership: Joint Principles for Secure Software. Retrieved from Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India: https://www.mea.gov.in/bilateral-documents.htm?dtl/36574/Quad_Cybersecurity_Partnership_Joint_Principles_for_Secure_Software
Newman, E. (2010). Critical human security studies. Cambridge University Press, 36, 77-94. https://doi.org/10. 101 7 I S02602 105099905 19
Oros, A. L., & Gordan, A. (2021, December 07). The Quad Should Help India Address Its Most Pressing Security Challenge: Climate Change. Retrieved from New Security Beat: https://www.newsecuritybeat.org/author/aoros/
Pant, H. V. (2022, March 20). India and the Quad: Chinese belligerence and Indian resilience. Retrieved from Observer Research Foundation: https://www.orfonline.org/research/india-and-the-quad#:~:text=There%20has%20been%20a%20significant,defence%20policy%20and%20maritime%20security.
Patil, S., Sarma, A., & Chandola, B. (2025, March 17). Strengthening the Quad’s Regulatory Diplomacy on Cybersecurity. Retrieved from ORF (Observer Research Foundation): https://www.orfonline.org/research/strengthening-the-quad-s-regulatory-diplomacy-on-cybersecurity
Pib. (2024, September 22). Fact Sheet: 2024 Quad Leaders’ Summit. Retrieved from Press Information Bureau: https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2057460
Press Information Bureau. (2024, May 20). Quad Leaders' Summit 2024: Joint efforts toward a resilient Indo-Pacific. Retrieved from Government of India: https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2057460
Press Information Bureau. (2024, May 20). Quad Leaders' Summit 2024: Strengthening cooperation in the Indo-Pacific. Retrieved from Government of India: https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2057460&utm_source=chatgpt.com
Quad. (2021, March 12). Critical and Emerging Technologies Working Group. Retrieved from Quad Partnership Portal – Utsav: https://quadpartnership.utsav.yoga/critical-and-emerging-technologies
Ramnath, A. (2022). Climate Resilience and the Quad. Institute of Peace and Conflict Studies. Retrieved from https://www.ipcs.org/comm_select.php?articleNo=5821
Roy, A. (2021, September 24). Climate Action and the Quad. Observer Research Foundation. Retrieved from https://www.orfonline.org/expert-speak/climate-action-and-the-quad
Schwartz, L. W., & Subramanlan, N. (2025, July 28). Quad and energy security in the Indo-Pacific. Retrieved from Foreign Policy: https://foreignpolicy.com/2025/07/28/quad-energy-security-indo-pacific/#cookie_message_anchor
SRIKANTH, D. (2014). NON-TRADITIONAL SECURITY THREATS IN THE 21ST CENTURY: A REVIEW. International Journal of Development and Conflict, 4, 60-68.
SRIKANTH, D. (2014). NON-TRADITIONAL SECURITY THREATS IN THE 21ST CENTURY: A REVIEW. International Journal of Development and Conflict, 60-68.
Stromesh, J. (2021, September 23). ASEAN and the Quad: Strategic impasse or avenue for cooperation? Retrieved from Brookings: https://www.brookings.edu/articles/asean-and-the-quad-strategic-impasse-or-avenue-for-cooperation/?utm_source=chatgpt.com
Takahashi, M. (2024). The Role of the Quad in the context of human security: Can the Quad become a good neighbor of the Blue Pacific? Journal of Human Security Studies, 13, 1-20.
The Hindu. (2025, April 04). Quad grouping coordinating efforts for relief to Myanmar after earthquake. Retrieved from The Hindu: https://www.thehindu.com/news/international/quad-grouping-coordinating-efforts-for-relief-to-myanmar-after-earthquake/article69411665.ece#goog_rewarded
The White House. (2021, September 24). Fact Sheet: Quad Leaders' Summit. Retrieved from Biden White House Archives: https://bidenwhitehouse.archives.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2021/09/24/fact-sheet-quad-leaders-summit/
U.S. Embassy & Consulates in India. (2024, May 20). Fact sheet: Quad Leaders' Summit. Retrieved from U.S. Department of State: https://in.usembassy.gov/fact-sheet-quad-leaders-summit/
UNDP. (1994). HUMAN DEVELOPMENT REPORT 1994. Oxford University Press. Retrieved from https://hdr.undp.org/system/files/documents/hdr1994encompletenostats.pdf
Upadhyay, S. (2022, July 12). BRICS, Quad, and India’s Multi-Alignment Strategy. Retrieved from STIMSON: https://www.stimson.org/2022/brics-quad-and-indias-multi-alignment-strategy/#:~:text=India%20did%20not%20support%20the,mutual%20cooperation%20on%20global%20issues.
Verma, S. S., & S, A. V. (2024). Understanding the Quad’s Climate Diplomacy in the Indo-Pacific Region. Millennial Asia. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1177/09763996241258344
Wei, Z. (2024). The Evolution of the ‘QUAD’. Horizons: Journal of International Relations and Sustainable Development(25).
Wilson Center, Environmental Change and Security Program. (2021). The Quad Should Help India Address Its Most Pressing Security Challenge: Climate Change. Retrieved from New Security Beat: https://www.newsecuritybeat.org/2021/12/quad-india-address-pressing-security-challenge-climate-change/#:~:text=A%202021%20survey%20of%20Indian,the%20effects%20of%20climate%20change.
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2026 Policy and Maritime Review

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.





