On Day 2 of the ORF Raisina Conference, a session was held on “Secure Waters: Asian Quad and the Indo-Pacific”, where the major theme was how Indo-Pacific nations can strategically balance their national interests with the need for cohesive multilateral cooperation to foster enduring regional stability.
The session was moderated by Lisa Singh, Chief Executive Officer of the Australia India Institute, Australia. The panel included Enrique Manalo, Secretary of Foreign Affairs, Philippines; Mari Sangianpngsa, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Thailand; Hiroyuki Akita, Foreign and International Security Commentator, Nikkei, Japan; and Ji Yeoun Jung, Assistant Professor, Department of Military History and Strategy, South Korea.
During the discussion, an interesting comparison was made by Hiroyuki Akita, who likened President Trump to a solar system. He stated that President Trump is like the sun, while the people around him are like stars revolving around it, with the sun being the major decision-maker. He emphasized that although many people surround Trump, he ultimately makes decisions based on his own perspective.
Akita also analyzed Japan’s geopolitical situation through three metaphors. He compared Japan’s position to a place frequently hit by storms. He stated that while a storm may hit multiple times, it causes damage only once, comparing this to North Korea. He then likened Russia to a hurricane, which, though highly destructive, eventually subsides. Lastly, he compared China to climate change, which causes long-term, irreversible damage. Through these analogies, he illustrated Japan’s current geopolitical challenges.
While opinions on President Trump varied, the panel generally agreed on the importance of the Quad in maintaining peace and stability in the region. They emphasized that the Quad, as a group of like-minded countries, plays a crucial role in ensuring regional security. The stability of the Quad, they stated, is directly linked to the stability of the Indo-Pacific.
Aayush Pal is a freelance writer on contemporary geopolitical developments. The views expressed in his work are entirely his own.
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