♤ In this context apart from the Quad, the ASEAN and institutions centred around it can play a key role in evolving an economic, security and political architecture in the Indo- Pacific.

♤ India is already a part of Quadrilateral, and engages with ASEA and institutions such as the EAS as well as ARF.

♤ Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC): is a regional economic forum established in 1989 to leverage the growing interdependence of the Asia-Pacific among 21 members. The APEC process is supported by a permanent secretariat based in Singapore.