Australia to host Quad Foreign Ministers’ meeting.

Why in news?

• The two-day meeting of the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (Quad) foreign ministers comes amid the USA Administration’s concerns about China, even as tensions with Russia over Ukraine rachet up in Europe.

About the Quad

• The Quad is an informal strategic forum comprising four nations, namely — United States of America (USA), India, Australia and Japan.
• It is also Known as the ‘Quadrilateral Security Dialogue’ (QSD).
• According to the Spirit of the Quad, the group’s primary objectives include maritime security, combating the Covid-19 crisis, especially vis-à-vis vaccine diplomacy, addressing the risks of climate change, creating an ecosystem for investment in the region and boosting technological innovation.
• The group met for the first time in 2007 on the sidelines of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).
• It is considered an alliance of maritime democracies, and the forum is maintained by meetings, semi-regular summits, information exchanges and military drills of all the member countries.