Boost Teamwork, Raise Engagement Among Quad Nations, Say Experts

Hyderabad: In addition to interactions between the governments, the need of the hour is greater collaboration among various civil society organisations, increased engagement between academic institutions, and enhanced interactions among the people of the Quad (Australia, India, Japan, and the United States) countries, echoed experts.

Academics, experts, diplomats, and former defence personnel, were sharing their thoughts during a roundtable discussion on “The Quad in the Indo-Pacific: Consolidating Peace and Prosperity,” hosted by Na Ra Japan Hub (NRJH), a not-for-profit organisation, at the Interim office of World Trade Center Shamshabad in Hyderabad on Monday. Speaking on the growing strategic importance of air and space domains, Group Captain TH Anand Rao (retd) called for “establishing a Quad space grouping for joint space exploration and research and development (R&D), data sharing, and joint task forces to handle emerging issues.” Referring to Hyderabad’s pharmaceutical ecosystem, Dr Srinivas Oruganti suggested that collaboration among the Quad countries can promote pharmaceutical breakthroughs and strengthen healthcare resilience in the Indo-Pacific region. The speakers at the Roundtable discussion called on the country’s young population to take advantage of numerous educational opportunities, such as the Quad Fellowships designed for Science, Engineering, Technology, and Mathematics (STEM) students, Fulbright Fellowships, and the Japan Foundation Indo-Pacific Partnership Programme for researchers in various academic disciplines.

Delivering the opening remarks, B Rama Bhadra, Founder, Na Ra Japan Hub, emphasised on their commitment to developing friendly ties between India and Japan. “We aim to promote international understanding, peace, and friendship through events like this roundtable discussion,” he said. Dr J A Chowdary, Founder, International Startup Foundation, highlighted the Artificial Intelligence (AI) revolution, its impact on the youth, and the significance of startups in shaping a better world through the Quad’s initiatives.

Ambassador C Rajasekhar highlighted that with the rapid growth of AI and digital technology firms, Hyderabad’s defence industry will transform and experience significant growth in the coming years.

Eminent scholars, including Prof Hiromi Hirose, Prof Izuyama Marie, and Sanjay Pulipaka, shared their insights on the Quad’s role in promoting peace and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific. The speakers pointed out that India’s growing economic prowess and ability to conduct Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) activities in the Indo-Pacific will open up new opportunities for collaboration among the Quad countries. While the security concerns in the Indian Ocean region figured prominently in the conversation, there were also considerable discussions on non-traditional security concerns, such as reducing carbon emissions in various industries, including the construction sector.

The Consulate-General of Japan in Chennai, the Japan Foundation, the World Trade Centre (Shamshabad), Asa Bhanu Technical Services Ltd, and the Politeia Research Foundation, supported the one-day event. Ambassador Dr B M Vinod Kumar inaugurated the event. Amb Takahashi Muneo, Consul-General of Japan in Chennai, participated in the Roundtable discussion. Students from Hyderabad Central University, Osmania University, and Woxsen University, were also present.