Session 5.2

Quad Cooperation on Critical and Emerging Technologies: Implications for Indo-Pacific Geopolitics

Critical Technologies (CT) have been widely regarded as a central resource driving the USA-China competition in the Indo-Pacific. CTs are central to maintaining a country’s national security and economic prosperity and include Artificial Intelligence, biotechnology, quantum computing and space technologies among others. Members of the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (Quad) have increasingly stressed on building strengths in CT’s as they seek to build a rules-based order in the Indo-Pacific. The Covid-19 pandemic has arguably given greater impetus for these states to bolster cooperation in safeguarding critical information infrastructure and global supply chains. The conceptualisation of CTs is deeply intertwined with the narrative on status competition in the Indo-Pacific region. The rise and fall of great powers can be seen represented prominently in terms of technological capability wielded by the prevailing great power(s) relative to the rising power(s). In this context, the paper discusses the concept of ‘criticality’ and its relevance to understanding the concepts of power and status in IR. It then critically examines Quad states’ perceptions on CTs and deciphers their expectations from the cooperation. Finally, it critically examines patterns of cooperation among Quad member-states and its broader implications for the future balance of power in the region.

Dr Anand V

Abstract forthcoming

China and Information Insecurity in the Indo-Pacific: The Case of Submarine Cables.

Dr Reeta Sony and Shubh Gupta

Understanding the Imminence of Data- Centric Critical Technology in Changing World Order with Special Reference to Indo-Pacific Region

With the rapid spread of internet in individual’s daily lives, the global order has discovered that data, machine learning, and artificial intelligence backed cyber technology can threaten any society’s politics, culture and consumption patterns. As a result, the concept of national security has crossed borders and reached the personal device of individual citizens, where it has potential to reorganize, re-articulate and restructure itself aligning with concerned interest. Thus, the discourse of national security has evolved from conventional warfare using arsenals to cyber warfare by altering the space-time tangibility of the enemy. This shift in national security discourse has occurred simultaneously with the shift of geo-strategic attention from the Euro-Atlantic to Indo-Pacific with China’s rise to prominence in recent strategic theatres. Chinese aggression and growing rivalry with Asian governments, such as India and Japan, along with Australia has forced these countries into closer cooperation with each other and the USA. One key avenue of cooperation for these states has been in the field of data-centric critical technology. This paper discusses the various challenges incurred due to changing global order within the Indo-Pacific caused by consistent rise of data driven critical technologies. Additionally, the paper aims to explore and analyse the policies guidelines for states in the Indo-Pacific region to cope up the rising threat along with the role of data diplomacy in making an environment for mutual benefits.

Lokendra Sharma

Maritime cybersecurity in the Indo-Pacific: Vulnerabilities, threats, challenges and a role for the Quad

The maritime industry has undergone transformative changes in the last few decades due to increasing computerisation, digitalisation and automation. From cloud-based shipping operations management to use of various navigation technologies, highly networked ports to the globally dispersed offices of shipping companies, the points of vulnerabilities (and threats) for both offshore and onshore maritime assets have multiplied. The problem is particularly acute in the geo-strategically and geo-economically important Indo-Pacific region. Maritime cybersecurity threats in this region are further compounded by the complexity of the maritime industry and the attribution and deterrence issues associated with the cyber domain. Any national response, therefore, is helpful but not sufficient. This paper primarily argues that the Quad, a strategic grouping of India, the United States, Japan and Australia, can play an important role in addressing these pertinent issues in the Indo-Pacific. Having powerful navies, large shares in maritime trade, trained cyber professionals, and other advantages, the Quad countries — as compared to any other regional grouping or individual country — are better suited to make an effective multilateral push towards greater maritime cybersecurity in the region and even beyond. This will also be in complete alignment with the Quad’s stated vision of a ‘free and open Indo-Pacific’.