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Trump’s Second Term Sparks Fresh Doubts Over Quad (Img: Internet)
New Delhi: For years, the Quad grouping comprising India, the United States, Japan and Australia represented a stronger Indo-Pacific partnership aimed at balancing China’s growing influence. Regular summits, strategic coordination and expanding cooperation in areas like cybersecurity, vaccines, semiconductors and maritime security gave the alliance increasing geopolitical importance.
However, in 2026, diplomatic observers are beginning to question whether the Quad is entering a slower and less visible phase under US President Donald Trump’s second term.
Concerns intensified after the expected Quad leaders’ summit in India during 2025 did not take place. Although External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar clarified that the summit was never officially scheduled, analysts believe the absence of a high-level meeting carries symbolic significance.
Unlike NATO, the Quad has no treaty framework, permanent headquarters or collective defence structure. Because of this, leader-level engagements play a major role in projecting unity and strategic commitment among member nations.
Experts argue that without regular summits and strong public messaging, perceptions of weakening coordination naturally emerge.
Analysts say the return of Donald Trump has changed the atmosphere surrounding the Quad. During his first term, Trump helped revive the grouping by placing greater focus on the Indo-Pacific and taking a tougher stance on China.
But his second administration appears more focused on tariffs, bilateral negotiations and domestic economic priorities rather than broader alliance-building.
This shift has affected the Quad’s wider agenda. Under former President Joe Biden, the grouping expanded into climate cooperation, supply-chain resilience, emerging technology and infrastructure development. Trump’s current approach appears more centred on direct strategic competition with China.
The four Quad nations are also pursuing different regional priorities. Japan is rapidly strengthening its military posture amid concerns over Taiwan and East Asian security. Australia is heavily focused on the AUKUS defence partnership with the US and UK.
India, meanwhile, continues to maintain strategic autonomy while balancing roles in BRICS and the Global South. New Delhi has avoided turning the Quad into a formal military alliance resembling an “Asian NATO”.
Despite concerns, some experts believe the Quad is not weakening but evolving into a more practical and less public partnership. Cooperation on maritime awareness, semiconductors, cybersecurity and naval coordination continues through working groups and institutional channels.
Still, analysts warn that prolonged absence of visible political momentum could reduce the grouping’s strategic influence. For now, the Quad’s future appears defined less by collapse and more by uncertainty over its long-term direction.
