US House passes Quad Bill to strengthen cooperation with partner countries, working group to be formed with Japan, Australia and India

The United States House of Representatives on Thursday (local time) passed the ‘Quad Bill’ which aims to establish a working group for bolstering cooperation between the partner countries.

The Quadrilateral Security Dialogue, also known as the Quad, is a coalition comprised of the United States, Japan, Australia and India.

This bill directs the US State Department to seek to establish a working group with Japan, Australia, and India to facilitate closer cooperation on shared interests and values.

It also requires the State Department to report to Congress a strategy for bolstering engagement and cooperation with the Quad.

The strategy shall address cooperation on issues including; preparing for the next pandemic, co-developing new innovative technologies, and deepening economic engagement and integration, according to the US House of Representatives website.