2025 JFIPP Research Fellow - Tanvi Madan

Project Summary

In recent years in the Indo-Pacific, there has been a shift from a hub-and-spoke to a spider-web model of engagement. From distinct American bilateral relationships with allies and partners, a network of alliances, partnerships, and coalitions has developed, with the nodes also connecting. The coalitions or minilaterals have brought together like-minded countries for specific objectives. This includes the Quad through which Australia, India, Japan and the US have sought to shape a favorable balance of power, build resilience, and provide alternatives in the Indo-Pacific. The reasons for the Quad’s persistence—including in the second Trump term—have included its flexibility, adaptability, members’ shared vision of the region and the challenges facing it, as well as their willingness to work together to be regional solutions providers. Another crucial—even indispensable—factor in the Quad’s evolution and sustainability has been the bilaterals between its member states. There is a considerable knowledge base on the Quad, as well as Washington’s alliances with Australia and Japan and partnership with India. However, less is known about the non-US bilateral relationships among them.

Yet, it is important to understand Australia-Japan, Japan-India, and India-Australia relations. Their future will help determine the possibilities and limitations of the Quad—as well as other minilaterals in which these countries are members. Cooperation between Canberra, New Delhi and Tokyo is also important to assess in its own right—after all, these countries have some of the largest and most significant military, economic and technological capabilities in the region. The proposed project will contribute to the understanding of these three non-US Quad bilateral building blocks. It will offer insights into the drivers, nature and extent of these relationships, identify similarities and differences, prospects, and current and future impact on and implications for the Quad, US policy in Asia, and Indo-Pacific security.