Skip to content
Search

Latest Stories

PM in Japan for Quad summit: Here's all you need to know about the grouping & Why China fear it

The second in-person summit of the Quad leaders in Tokyo on Tuesday (24) is expected to focus on strengthening cooperation for a free, open and inclusive Indo-Pacific and delving into the implications of the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

PM in Japan for Quad summit: Here's all you need to know about the grouping & Why China fear it

Indian prime minister Narendra Modi and other Quad leaders are set to demonstrate that the grouping is a "force for global good" and has a unifying commitment to a rules-based international order amid China's increasingly intimidatory behaviour.

What is QUAD?
The loosely organised Quad - comprising India, the United States, Australia and Japan - represents a combined GDP of $34 trillion, or 40 per cent of the global total.

The Quad which stands for the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue took nascent form during the 2004 tsunami relief efforts in the Asia Pacific. Three years later in 2007, Japan’s then prime minister Shinzo Abe formalised the alliance.

In November 2017, the four countries gave shape to the long-pending proposal to develop a new strategy to keep the critical sea routes in the Indo-Pacific free of any influence besides cooperating on other issues.

It evolved further in 2020 when Australia joined India, US and Japan in the Malabar naval exercises - the first drill involving the four nations in over a decade.

Unlike NATO, Quad is an informal group whose objectives include maritime security.

What's on Modi's agenda?
Modi is expected to delve into India's perspective and vision for the Indo-Pacific as well as ways to boost cooperation in multiple domains including ensuring resilient supply chains.

In a statement, before he left for Japan on Sunday, Modi said the summit will provide an opportunity for the leaders to review the progress of the Quad initiatives and exchange views about developments in the Indo-Pacific region and global issues of mutual interest.

There have been indications that the four-nation grouping may further resolve to expand cooperation in areas of emerging technologies, supply chain security, clean energy, connectivity, digital trade and infrastructure.

Why is China livid?
The alliance has not gone down well with an increasingly assertive China as all four Quad member states have strained relations with Beijing.

While India and China had violent confrontations on their Himalayan border in 2020, a standoff involving Chinese and Malaysian vessels in the South China Sea led the US and Australia to send their warships there.

Beijing and Washington were also involved in a tariff war when Donald Trump was the American president.

Japan and China have disputes over the East China Sea islands of Senkaku which both countries claim.

Although Beijing calls the Quad “Asian NATO”, New Delhi has maintained that the grouping is against any country.

More For You

Minouche Shafik

Shafik served as deputy governor for markets and banking at the Bank of England between August 2014 and February 2017.

Reuters

Starmer appoints Minouche Shafik as chief economic adviser in reshuffle

Highlights:

  • Minouche Shafik named chief economic adviser to Keir Starmer.
  • Darren Jones moves into Downing Street role; James Murray replaces him.
  • Wider reshuffle includes changes in Starmer’s private office and communications.
  • Appointment comes ahead of a budget expected to include further tax rises.

Prime minister Keir Starmer has named Minouche Shafik, a former deputy governor of the Bank of England, as his chief economic adviser. The appointment comes as he looks to strengthen his team ahead of what is expected to be a difficult end to the year.

Keep ReadingShow less
Afghanistan earthquake

Afghan volunteers and Taliban security personnel carry an earthquake victim evacuated by a military helicopter from the Nurgal district of Kunar province onn September 1, 2025.

Getty Images

Afghanistan earthquake kills more than 800, thousands injured

A MAJOR rescue operation was underway in Afghanistan on Monday after a powerful earthquake and several aftershocks destroyed homes in a remote mountainous region, killing more than 800 people, according to Taliban authorities.

The quake struck just before midnight and was felt as far as Kabul and in Pakistan’s capital, Islamabad.

Keep ReadingShow less
Ganpati festival

The Ganpati festival celebrates Ganesha as the god of new beginnings, and the god of wisdom and intelligence. (Photo: Getty Images)

Getty Images

Hindu community centre in London damaged in fire after Ganapati Visarjan event

A HINDU community centre in east London caught fire on Saturday evening, causing major damage to the building. The London Fire Brigade brought the fire under control and confirmed that no injuries were reported.

The incident took place at the Shree Sorathia Prajapati Community Centre on Cleveland Road in Ilford, which had been decorated for a Ganapati Visarjan event attended by members of the Hindu community.

Keep ReadingShow less
Modi ,Xi & Putin

Narendra Modi talks with Vladimir Putin and Xi jinping ahead of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Summit 2025 at the Meijiang Convention and Exhibition Centre in Tianjin on September 1, 2025.

Getty Images

SCO declaration slams Pahalgam attack, calls for united action on terror

Highlights:

  • SCO condemns terror attack in Pahalgam and echoes India’s stance on “double standards”.
  • Leaders call for justice for perpetrators of attacks in Pahalgam and Balochistan.
  • Declaration criticises Israeli military strikes in Gaza causing civilian casualties.
  • SCO stresses UN’s central role in global counter-terrorism strategy.

THE SHANGHAI Cooperation Organisation (SCO) on Monday condemned the terror attack in Pahalgam and agreed with India’s position that “double standards” in tackling terrorism are not acceptable.

Keep ReadingShow less
Police arrest five after anti-asylum protesters target Heathrow hotel

Anti-migrant protesters demonstrate outside the Cladhan Hotel on August 30, 2025 in Falkirk, Scotland. (Photo by Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images)

Police arrest five after anti-asylum protesters target Heathrow hotel

BRITISH police said they arrested five people on Saturday (30) after masked men tried to force their way into a hotel used by asylum-seekers, a day after the government won a court ruling on the use of another hotel to house migrants.

Two groups of anti-asylum protesters marched to the Crowne Plaza Hotel near Heathrow Airport before some demonstrators tried to break in, London's Metropolitan Police force said.

Keep ReadingShow less