INDIA-CENTRIC STRATEGIC GROUPINGS: QUAD, IBSA, I2U2, RIC
International Relation
INTRODUCTION
India participates in several informal and formal groupings to advance its strategic, economic and geopolitical interests. Groupings such as QUAD, IBSA, I2U2 and RIC are frequently asked in prelims due to their evolving nature and regular mention in current affairs. For beginners, these groupings help in understanding India’s multi-alignment strategy and its engagement with major and emerging powers.
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QUADRILATERAL SECURITY DIALOGUE (QUAD)
BACKGROUND AND ORIGIN
• Informal strategic grouping of four countries
• First proposed in 2007
• Revived in 2017
• Emerged in the context of Indo-Pacific region
MEMBERS
• India
• United States
• Japan
• Australia
OBJECTIVES
• Promote a free, open and inclusive Indo-Pacific
• Ensure maritime security
• Support rule-based international order
• Enhance cooperation in technology, health and climate
KEY FEATURES
• Not a military alliance
• No formal treaty or secretariat
• Leaders’ Summits, Foreign Ministers’ meetings held regularly
• Cooperation in vaccines, critical technologies, cyber and space
INDIA AND QUAD
• Aligns with India’s Indo-Pacific vision
• Supports maritime security and strategic balance
PRELIMS POINTER
• QUAD is informal and non-binding
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INDIA-BRAZIL-SOUTH AFRICA (IBSA)
BACKGROUND AND ORIGIN
• Established in 2003
• Platform for South–South cooperation
MEMBERS
• India
• Brazil
• South Africa
OBJECTIVES
• Promote cooperation among emerging democracies
• Reform global governance institutions
• Strengthen South–South cooperation
KEY FEATURES
• IBSA Dialogue Forum
• IBSA Fund for poverty alleviation
• Cooperation in agriculture, defence, education and health
INDIA AND IBSA
• Enhances India’s outreach to Africa and Latin America
PRELIMS POINTER
• IBSA is different from BRICS
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I2U2 GROUPING
BACKGROUND AND ORIGIN
• Announced in 2021
• Informal economic and strategic grouping
MEMBERS
• India
• Israel
• United States
• United Arab Emirates
OBJECTIVES
• Promote economic cooperation
• Focus on technology, energy, food security and infrastructure
• Leverage private sector investments
KEY FEATURES
• Not a security alliance
• Focus on practical cooperation and projects
• Sometimes referred to as “West Asian Quad”
INDIA AND I2U2
• Strengthens India’s engagement with West Asia
• Supports economic diplomacy
PRELIMS POINTER
• I2U2 focuses on economic and technological cooperation
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RUSSIA-INDIA-CHINA (RIC)
BACKGROUND AND ORIGIN
• Informal trilateral grouping
• First meeting held in early 2000s
• Concept promoted by Russia
MEMBERS
• Russia
• India
• China
OBJECTIVES
• Promote strategic dialogue among major Eurasian powers
• Strengthen multipolar world order
• Coordinate on regional and global issues
KEY FEATURES
• Informal dialogue mechanism
• Foreign Ministers’ meetings
• Emphasis on multilateralism
INDIA AND RIC
• Platform to engage China and Russia together
• Complements India’s multi-alignment strategy
PRELIMS POINTER
• RIC is a trilateral dialogue, not an organisation
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Subject: International Relation
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