Explained: Difference between QUAD and AUKUS & key commonalities of both alliances

With Prime Minister Narendra Modi visiting United States this week, meeting leers of qurilateral alliance or 'QU' is one of top agendas on his list. Prime Ministers of all QU nations -- India, Japan, Australia and United States will be meeting in person for first time after pandemic broke out. QU nations in virtual meet, held in March this year discussed agenda of keeping a “Free and open Indo-Pacific”.

However, after formation of AUKUS, re are speculations that outlook of QU for Indo-Pacific will be upstaged by newly formed trilateral military alliance -- AUKUS, formed among Australia, UK & US, with an agenda to strengn military ties to protect Indo-pacific region from China’s dominance.

Let’s understand both alliances in-depth to understand ir agendas and effect on global diplomacy.

What are differences and similarities between QU & AUKUS?

1. major difference between both alliances is that AUKUS is a military alliance, whereas QU is not, it is a diplomatic alliance. QU discusses diplomatic and global issues along with a security dialogue.

2. Anor difference would be that AUKUS specifically will deal with security and military situation in Indo-Pacific region, however, QU focuses on affairs of whole world, for instance in 2021 virtual meet -- y discussed COVID-19 situation, vaccines and climate change.

3. AUKUS only focuses on military developments, as significant from ir first project, where UK & US are helping Australia to acquire a nuclear-powered conventionally-armed submarine fleet. On or hand, QU focuses on multilateral issues -- ranging from economic discussions, security affairs & global affairs, for eg: vaccines, Afghanistan situation etc.

4. AUKUS trilateral military pact to protect Indo-Pacific from China’s dominance and shield post-1945 global order. However, QU has an agenda of its own that suits shared interests of all members.

5. One similarity between both alliances is that both groups have a common interest in protecting Indo-Pacific region from China’s dominance over or nations.

What is QU?

Qurilateral Security Dialogue also known as QU, was formed in 2007 by n-Japanese PM Shinzo Abe, with support of former US Vice President Dick Cheney along with former Australian PM John Howard and India's former PM Manmohan Singh. However, with China issuing formal diplomatic protests, Australia during PM Kevin Rudd’s tenure withdrew from it due to evolving tensions between US and China.

However, India, Japan, and United States continued holding joint naval and military exercises. reafter, QU was revived with Australia re-joining alliance in order to counter China militarily and diplomatically in South China Sea. In 2021, QU declared "a shared vision for a Free and Open Indo-Pacific", thus countering China's aggression in region.

What is AUKUS?

AUKUS is a trilateral security deal between Australia, UK and US in which three nations have committed to protecting Indo-Pacific from China’s dominance and built a class of nuclear-propelled submarines. It is a military alliance. In its first project, US and UK have committed to help Australia in developing and deploying nuclear-powered submarines. initial talks of AUKUS deal began at G7 Summit hosted by UK in June 2021 while AUKUS pact was announced earlier this month.

QU’s Agenda

Leers of all four QU nations became more aligned in ir common interests regarding China's assertive attitude in Indo-Pacific in 2021, and are inclined to establish a productive collaboration. In November 2020, all four navies took part in ir first joint exercise in over a dece. In March 2021, US President Joe Biden conducted a virtual QU summit, with Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga in attendance. Working groups were formed to dress COVID-19 vaccinations, climate change, technological innovation, and supply-chain resilience.

AUKUS’s Agenda

first project of AUKUS will be to help Australia acquire a nuclear-powered conventionally-armed submarine fleet. three hes of state reaffirmed ir intention to continue to work with ir allies and groupings in tandem with AUKUS, with QU being mentioned by Morrison and Biden, though y were not specific on details.

Image: AP/ PTI