Strategic affairs expert Dr. Satoru Nagao analyzed the potential impact of Donald Trump's second-term foreign policy on the Quad [1].

This assessment comes as member nations evaluate how a shift in U.S. leadership may alter the shared vision for a free, open, and prosperous Indo-Pacific [1]. The stability of the region depends on the consistency of security architectures and the commitment of the U.S. to its allies.

Speaking at the NDTV Indo-Japan Strategic Dialogue, Nagao said he examined the future of the Quad, a strategic forum comprising the U.S., India, Japan, and Australia [1]. He said he focused on how the specific policy preferences of the Trump administration could reshape the current security framework in the region [1].

Nagao's analysis centered on the potential for volatility in diplomatic relations. The Indo-Pacific security architecture relies on multilateral cooperation, yet a second Trump term may introduce different priorities regarding trade and defense obligations [1].

Because the Quad is not a formal military alliance, its effectiveness relies on the political will of its members. Nagao said the group's ability to maintain a unified front against regional threats will be tested by the U.S. approach to international agreements [1].

Throughout the dialogue, the discussion emphasized the need for India and Japan to strengthen their bilateral ties to hedge against potential shifts in U.S. strategy [1]. Such cooperation is seen as a necessary step to ensure that the vision of a free Indo-Pacific remains intact regardless of leadership changes in Washington [1].

“Dr. Satoru Nagao analyzed the potential impact of Donald Trump's second-term foreign policy on the Quad.”

The analysis suggests that the Quad's future may shift from a centrally led U.S. initiative to a more flexible, partner-driven coalition. If the U.S. adopts a more transactional approach to foreign policy, India and Japan may be forced to accelerate their own strategic integration to maintain regional balance.