The Quad is entering a more mature phase, with member countries sharpening their focus on a handful of strategic priorities rather than pursuing an expansive agenda, according to former diplomat Mohan Kumar.
In an interview to StratNews Global Kumar, Dean and Professor, OP Jindal Global University who’s served as India’s ambassador to France and Bahrain, said the Quad Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in New Delhi on May 26 marked an important shift in the grouping’s evolution. The four countries—India, the United States, Japan and Australia—have narrowed their agenda to maritime security, economic security, humanitarian response and critical minerals.
“The Quad agenda has become focused on a few things instead of going all over the place,” Kumar said. Earlier initiatives such as vaccine distribution and the Cancer Moonshot programme reflected a broader approach. The latest meeting, however, signalled a move towards a more targeted strategic framework.
One of the most significant outcomes, Kumar noted, was the transition from maritime domain awareness to active maritime surveillance collaboration under the Indo-Pacific Maritime Surveillance Collaboration (IPMSC). According to him, this marks a qualitative change in the Quad’s approach to regional security.
“It is one thing to talk of maritime domain awareness. It is another thing to say that we are going to survey the maritime area and pool our resources,” he said, describing the development as a serious and welcome step.
Kumar also downplayed concerns over uncertainty surrounding the next Quad leaders’ summit. India was expected to host the summit earlier, but diplomatic strains between New Delhi and Washington delayed plans. Questions remain over whether US President Donald Trump will attend a future gathering.
For Kumar, however, the effectiveness of the Quad does not depend solely on leader-level meetings.
“As long as the Quad continues to work on critical minerals, maritime security, economic security and sustainable development, it has enough work to do,” he said.
On the economic front, Kumar argued that India and the United States are unlikely to conclude a traditional Free Trade Agreement. As a former lead negotiator at the World Trade Organisation, he said Washington’s domestic political process makes an FTA difficult, particularly because congressional approval would be required.
Instead, both countries are pursuing a Bilateral Trade Agreement. Kumar said this route is more practical and reflects the reality of current US trade policy. The challenge, he cautioned, will be ensuring that any future trade arrangement avoids additional tariff burdens that could undermine India’s competitiveness in the American market.
