2025 JFIPP Research Fellow - Siddhardha Kollabathini

Project Summary

In an era marked by AI-enabled warfare, disinformation campaigns, and state-sponsored cyberattacks, cybersecurity has emerged as a critical pillar of national and alliance security. The Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (Quad)—comprising India, the United States, Australia, and Japan—has significantly expanded its cyber cooperation in response to growing digital threats in the Indo-Pacific region. However, the legal and strategic coherence of this convergence remains underexamined, particularly in light of the evolving Law of Armed Conflict (LOAC) and international legal norms in cyberspace.

This research will assess the convergence of cybersecurity strategies across the Quad by applying Joseph Nye Jr.’s Cyber Power Framework and introducing an original Cyber Power–Legal Assessment Matrix (CPLAM). It will map national strategies, examine joint cyber initiatives, and analyse real-world incidents to determine the extent to which the Quad’s cyber governance aligns with international law. The project aims to produce both academic and policy outputs, offering timely guidance for multilateral cyber cooperation in an increasingly contested digital domain.