Comparative Analysis: Quad vs.
AUKUS in the
Indo-Pacific
Below is a 10-slide outline comparing the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (Quad) and the AUKUS
Trilateral Security Pact. Each slide includes clear notes to guide your oral presentation. The table
comparison is summarized for easy reference, and the structure is suitable for exporting to
Sheets or PowerPoint.
Slide 1: Indo-Pacific Regional Alliances
Notes: This presentation compares the Quad and AUKUS, two leading security groupings
shaping the Indo-Pacific strategic landscape.
Slide 2: Introducing the Quad
Notes: Quad: An informal partnership between the U.S., Japan, Australia, and India, initiated
to promote a "free and open Indo-Pacific". It emerged after the 2004 tsunami and was
revived mid-2010s in response to changing regional threats. [1] [2] [3]
Slide 3: Introducing AUKUS
Notes: AUKUS: A formal trilateral security pact between Australia, the UK, and the U.S.
launched in 2021. It focuses on defense and advanced military technology with the explicit
aim of bolstering Indo-Pacific security, especially through nuclear submarine technology
transfer. [4] [5] [6]
Slide 4: Founding Principles & Purpose
Notes:
Quad: Upholds rules-based order, democratic values, and regional inclusivity. Supports
India's SAGAR vision and Act East Policy. Not a hard military alliance but promotes
collective responses to security challenges. [2] [7] [8]
AUKUS: Seeks to enhance deterrence, stability, and high-end defense capability to
counter evolving threats and preserve the regional order, explicitly responding to
China's assertiveness. [9] [6] [4]
Slide 5: Primary Focus
Notes:
Quad: Multidimensional: addresses maritime security, disaster relief, economic and
technological development, supply chain resilience, health, and climate cooperation.
Annual Malabar naval exercises are a highlight. [3] [10] [11]
AUKUS: Military and defense technology centric, notably the delivery of nuclear-
powered submarines to Australia. Broader collaboration on cyber, AI, hypersonic, and
quantum technologies. [12] [13] [4]
Slide 6: Major Challenges
Notes:
Quad: Informal structure, no secretariat, divergent member priorities (esp. on China),
and reluctance to appear as an "anti-China bloc". Different stances on military
integration and diplomatic approach. [14] [15] [2]
AUKUS: Technology transfer and nuclear non-proliferation obstacles, risk of regional
arms race, trust and burden-sharing among members, and skepticism from ASEAN and
Pacific nations wary of escalation. [16] [4]
Slide 7: Internal Tensions
Notes:
Quad: Differences in threat perception and willingness to confront China; India
maintains strategic autonomy while US and Australia are more direct. [7] [17] [14]
AUKUS: Managing defense commitments without straining diplomatic relations; UK’s
regional stake questioned, concerns about regulatory barriers to tech sharing, divergent
priorities among the three. [15] [4] [16]
Slide 8: Role of China
Notes:
Quad: Soft, indirect balancing; presents itself as a counterweight but avoids explicit
anti-China language. Focuses on partnership, regional public goods, and maintaining
openness. [18] [19] [2]
AUKUS: Direct military deterrence posture, explicit reaction to China’s expansionism,
especially in the South China Sea. China sees AUKUS as an open challenge. [5] [20] [21]
[22]
Slide 9: Comparison Table
Notes:
Criteria Quad AUKUS
Informal, values-based group; no permanent
Founding Formal defense agreement, 2021
secretariat
Members US, Japan, Australia, India Australia, UK, US
Maritime security, economic, health, High-end defense tech, submarines, cyber,
Focus
technology military
Divergent priorities, informality, no military Tech transfer, arms race, ASEAN/region
Challenges
integration unease
China
Counterbalance, indirect approach Direct deterrence, explicit containment
Stance
Slide 10: Strategic Significance
Notes: Quad offers broad-based, diplomatic, and economic engagement, ideal for coalition
building and strengthening supply chains. AUKUS delivers military deterrence, signaling a
robust response to China’s assertiveness. Together, they influence regional calculations and
security architecture in the Indo-Pacific. [13] [23] [4]
Use this structure for your presentation slides, and you can export the detailed notes as a CSV
for your Sheets assignment as needed.
If you want to go further, consider illustrating your slides with a simple Venn diagram, a map of
members, or a chart summarizing the main points.
⁂
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