FOUNDER'S MESSAGE
Mr. Rohith Sai Narayan Stambamkadi
Founder, Director – IFPD
Email – director@ifpdindia.org
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Mr. Rohith Sai Narayan Stambamkadi (Rohith Narayan) is the Founder and Director of the Indian Forum for Public Diplomacy (IFPD). He is a graduate in Legal Studies from Birla School of Law and is also working as a co-convenor at the Global Policy Insights (GPI). He is a voluntary part-time researcher at several think tanks and organizations and has worked at the Institute of Defense Studies and Analyses (MP-IDSA), Observer Research Foundation (ORF), Centre for Airpower Studies (CAPS), Dept. of Geopolitics – Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE), Centre for Human Security Studies (CHSS), Greenpeace India, among others. Rohith was a contributor to research in Trade Facilitation in an initiative undertaken by the UNESCAP and WTO on Model Provisions for Trade in the times of Crisis, and has also worked at the AIESEC in Sri Lanka and the Market Development Facility (MDF), Colombo. Rohith’s research interests include Conventional and Sub-conventional warfare, Greyzone wars, Quadrilateral Security (QUAD), China Studies, Terrorism and Strategic dimensions of competitive political violence, and Game Theory. His present research also focuses on application of India’s mythology and indigenous knowledge to contemporary International Relations and Foreign Policy, including the Mahabharata and Arthashastra. He guest lectures on war studies and game theory at various universities, student organisations, podcasts, youth embassies among others. He is a passionate storyteller and a poet of his collection ‘Havoc of Insights’.
Founder's Message
As we move into the third decade of the century amidst much uncertainty, the dynamics of International Relations gain new shape and momentum. In an era in which global aspirations have changed amid various political and economic dynamics, co-operation between International communities seems sporadic and, consensus often elusive. Nevertheless, the great and good of these times have widened the need for cooperation in order to achieve global aspirations. As India rises at the global stage, the role of India in bringing new initiatives that can catalyse a new consensus to the world cannot be negated, as India’s ability to take charge in the global order, create and develop optimal relationships, leverage its interests and capabilities, often have been reflected through its knowledge, civilisation, history and culture, values and traditions, unique diaspora, it’s society, policy and, diplomacy at various fronts, at various times.
As this era of uncertainty and disarray necessitates greater expectations from India, it drives us into the path of India becoming a “leading power”. A well-known phrase often used in the present conversations. Such an achievement would only be possible if India could encourage honest conversations, dialogues, debates and research in foreign policy from all walks of life. Scholarship on public opinion and ideas in foreign policy has proliferated due to the ways in which individuals matter in International relations and due to social experimentations, which gave political scientists and strategic communities a way to study and use public academia and opinion in shaping policies. Public Diplomacy advocates the idea that foreign policy has to be put into the landscape of its people. Interactions between individuals and leaders, institutions, organisations, civil societies are essential now and here on, more than ever, to be able to drive ourselves into a path of a leading power.
Indian Forum for Public Diplomacy (IFPD) puts the pursuit of Foreign Policy and reform process in the landscape of its people, especially the youth. The Forum brings various research initiatives to advance India’s Foreign Policy goals through domestic and International citizens. By encouraging “Civilian led Strategic Culture”, the forum creates a platform for academicians, civil societies, Foreign Offices, Think-Tanks and institutions through research, dialogue and debate. The Forum also engages in Non-Profit interventions for the revival of few sectors and also to advance the objectives of few present policies through robust market approaches. The Forum is a ‘think-and-do-tank’ that drives Foreign Policy and reform process by the people, of the people and for the people.
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– Rohith Sai Narayan Stambamkadi
Founder / Director, Indian Forum for Public Diplomacy (IFPD)
onducted a total of five underground nuclear tests, breaking a 24-year self-imposed moratorium on nuclear testing. Pakistan followed, claiming 5 tests on May 28, 1998, and an additional test on May 30. The unannounced tests created a global storm of criticism, as well as a serious setback for decades of U.S. nuclear nonproliferation efforts in South Asia. On May 13, 1998, President Clinton imposed economic and military sanctions on India, mandated by Section 102 of the Arms Export Control Act (AECA), and applied the same sanctions to Pakistan on May 30. Some effects of the sanctions on India included: termination of $21 million in FY1998 economic development assistance; postponement of $1.7 billion in lending by the International Financial Institutions (IFI), as supported by the Group of Eight (G-8) leading industrial nations; prohibition on loans or credit from U.S. banks to the government of India; and termination of Foreign Military Sales under the Arms Export Control Act. Humanitarian assistance, food, or other agricultural commodities are excepted from sanctions under the law. 
The first ministerial level meeting of QUAD was held on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in New York. Before this, the QUAD had
AusIndEx is an exercise between India and Australia which was first held in 2015.The Australian 
On recommendations of the Japanese government, the four countries met at Manila, Philippines for ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) originally, but also ended up having a meeting of what we call the first meeting of four nation states on issues of 
On his official visit to India, Japanese PM Mr. Shinzo Abe reinforced the ties of two nations, i.e., Japan and India with his famous speech about 
In 2007, Japanese President Shinzo Abe resigned from his post citing health reasons. This had a significant impact on QUAD as he was the architect & advocate of QUAD. His successor, Yasuo Fukuda, did not take up QUAD with such zeal leading to dormancy of the forum. (
Japan earthquake and tsunami of 2011, also called Great Sendai Earthquake or Great Tōhoku Earthquake, was a 9.0 magnitude earthquake which struck below the floor of the Western Pacific at 2:49 PM. The powerful earthquake affected the northeastern coast of Honshu, Japan’s main island, and also initiated a series of large tsunami waves that devastated coastal areas of Japan, which also led to a major nuclear accident. Japan received aid from India, US, Australia as well as other countries. US Navy aircraft carrier was dispatched to the area and Australia sent search-and-rescue teams. 
India and Australia signed the 
The India-Japan Agreement for Cooperation in the Peaceful Uses of Nuclear Energy was signed on 11 November, 2016 and came into force on 20 July, 2017 which was representative of strengthening ties between India and Japan. Diplomatic notes were exchanged between Dr. S. Jaishankar and H.E. Mr. Kenji Hiramatsu, Ambassador of Japan to India. (
The foreign ministry
The Officials of QUAD member countries met in Singapore on November 15, 2018 for consultation on regional & global issues of common interest. The main discussion revolved around connectivity, sustainable development, counter-terrorism, maritime and cyber security, with the view to promote peace, stability and prosperity in the 
The 23rd edition of trilateral Malabar maritime exercise between India, US and Japan took place on 26 September- 04 October, 2019 off the coast of Japan. 
After the first ministerial level meeting of QUAD in September, 2019, the senior officials of US, Japan, India and Australia again met for consultations in Bangkok on the margins of the East Asia Summit. Statements were issued separately by the four countries. Indian Ministry of External Affairs said “In statements issued separately by the four countries, MEA said, “proceeding from the strategic guidance of their Ministers, who met in New York City on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly recently, the officials exchanged views on ongoing and additional practical cooperation in the areas of connectivity and infrastructure development, and security matters, including counterterrorism, cyber and maritime security, with a view to promoting peace, security, stability, prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region.”
US 2+2 Ministerial Dialogue was held on 18 December, 2019, in Washington DC. Secretary of State Michael R. Pompeo and Secretary of Defense Mark T. Esper will host Indian Minister of External Affairs Dr. S. Jaishankar and Minister of Defense Shri Rajnath Singh. The discussion focussed on deepening bilateral strategic and defense cooperation, exchanging perspectives on global developments, and our shared leadership in the Indo-Pacific region.The two democracies signed the Industrial Security Annex before the 2+2 Dialogue. Assessments of the situation in Afghanistan, Pakistan, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and the Indian Ocean region in general were shared between both countries. (
The foreign ministers of QUAD continued their discussions from the last ministerial level meeting in 2019, on 6 October, 2020. While there was no joint statement released, all countries issued individual readouts. As per the issue readout by India, the discussion called for a coordinated response to the challenges including financial problems emanating from the pandemic, best practices to combat Covid-19, increasing the resilience of supply chains, and enhancing access to affordable vaccines, medicines and medical equipment. There was also a focus on maintaining stability in the Indo-Pacific region amidst growing tensions. Australian media release mentions “We emphasised that, especially during a pandemic, it was vital that states work to ease tensions and avoid exacerbating long-standing disputes, work to counter disinformation, and refrain from malicious cyberspace activity. Ministers reiterated that states cannot assert maritime claims that are inconsistent with international law, particularly the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).”
On September 24, President Biden hosted Prime Minister Scott Morrison of Australia, Prime Minister Narendra Modi of India, and Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga of Japan at the White House for the first-ever in-person Leaders’ Summit of the QUAD. The leaders released a Joint Statement which summarised their dialogue and future course of action. The regional security of the Indo-Pacific and strong confidence in the ASEAN remained on the focus along with response to the Pandemic. 
The QUAD Vaccine Partnership was announced at the first QUAD Summit on 12 March 2021 where QUAD countries agreed to deliver 1.2 billion vaccine doses globally. The aim was to expand and finance vaccine manufacturing and equipping the Indo-Pacific to build resilience against Covid-19. The launch of a senior-level QUAD Vaccine Experts Group, comprised of top scientists and officials from all QUAD member governments was also spearheaded. 
Although the Tsunami Core group had to be disbanded on fulfilment of its purpose, however the quadrilateral template that formed remained intact as a successful scaffolding of four countries, as stated by authors Patrick Gerard Buchan and Benjamin Rimland in their diplomatic brief about QUAD ( you can access the brief at 
Secretary of State Colin Powell stated that the Core Tsunami Group was to be disbanded and folded and clubbed with the broader United Nations led Relief Operations. In a Tsunami Relief Conference in Jakarta, Secretary Powell stated that 
Soon after the Earthquake and Tsunami crisis, humanitarian reliefs by countries, viz., US, India, Japan, and Australia started to help the 13 havoc-stricken countries. The US initially promised $ 35 Millions in aid. However, on 29
At 7:59AM local time, an earthquake of 9.1 magnitude (undersea) hit the coast of Sumatra, an Indonesian island. As a result of the same, massive waves of Tsunami triggered by the earthquake wreaked havoc for 7 hours across the Indian Ocean and to the coastal areas as far away as East Africa. The infamous Tsunami killed around 225,000 people, with people reporting the height of waves to be as high as 9 metres, i.e., 30 feet. Indonesia, Srilanka, India, Maldives, Thailand sustained horrendously massive damage, with the death toll exceeding 200,000 in Northern Sumatra’s Ache province alone. A great many people, i.e., around tens of thousands were found dead or missing in Srilanka and India, mostly from Andaman and Nicobar Islands of Indian territory. Maldives, being a low-lying country, also reported casualties in hundreds and more, with several non-Asian tourists reported dead or missing who were vacationing. Lack of food, water, medicines burgeoned the numbers of casualties, with the relief workers finding it difficult to reach the remotest areas where roads were destroyed or civil war raged. Long-term environmental damage ensued too, as both natural and man-made resources got demolished and diminished.