Japan proposes def ministers’ talks in India under Quad umbrella

Japan wants to widen the ambit of Quad grouping, with its defence minister Shinjiro Koizumi strongly advocating in Singapore on Sunday for a Quad defence ministers’ meeting in India. Japan’s proposal indicates its intent to strengthen defence collaboration among member states and take Quad’s engagements beyond the level of foreign ministers.

In reply to a query on the sidelines of 23rd IISS Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore, Koizumi said, “Recently, our foreign minister visited India for Quad. It would be great if we can have that (meet) for defence ministers. Defence cooperation could be an area in which we work together…it would be great to visit India to have that kind of dialogue. I want to energise Quad to the next step.”

The proposal comes at a time when Quad is making efforts to be seen as a forum for practical cooperation rather than a military alliance.

Quad is a strategic grouping comprising the US, India, Japan and Australia whose foreign ministers meet on a regular basis to boost ties and foster a free, open, inclusive and resilient Indo-Pacific region. Unlike Nato, Quad is not a binding military alliance or a mutual defence pact. It focuses heavily on economic cooperation, technology and regional security.

Japan’s proposal is likely to upset China further as Beijing characterises Quad as an “Asian NATO”, and says the grouping represents an exclusive Cold War-era ‘clique’ deliberately designed to contain China's geopolitical and economic growth.

During his Shangri-La Dialogue address, Koizumi also took a veiled swipe at China, pledging to keep strengthening the Japanese military despite Beijing's criticism "Think about it. There is a country that has a huge arsenal of nuclear weapons and strategic bombers. Japan has neither of such weapons. And yet, Japan is labelled (as) ‘new militarism’. Isn't it strange?” Koizumi said, without mentioning China.