QUAD: The U.S Indo-Pacific strategy and its allies

India joins QUAD to see Indo – Pacific an open, free and progressive region, but on the hands it seems tough to contain China

Newly Elected POTUS Joe Biden promptly reversed most of his predecessor Donald Trump’s policies, i.e., Climate Policy, Ban on 7 Muslim Majority Countries, Immigration Policy and many others. But President Biden hesitated to reverse last regime policies over matters related to – China and avoid changing the anti –Chinese narrative, which started by Donald Trump. President Trump stressed over anti – Chinese foreign policy, where he noted over the QUAD to contain China. President Biden continued the same approach and had the first QUAD virtual summit to stress-free and Open – Indo Pacific. Counterparts from India, Japan, and Australia joined the virtual summit, followed by a joint official statement wherein all agreed and focused on having a coherent and realistic approach to Contain, Limit China with its aggressive expansionism policies.

No doubt, the United States has been leading some collective efforts to contain China through various means – Active vigilance, Confronting China’s maritime activities in the South China Sea, Media war against China, Aid to QUAD Partners, and Collective voices against China. But, notably, there has not been any “Concrete” strategy to limit China. According to its objectives, the U.S-led QUAD has been an active pillar of U.S foreign policy, but it has failed to show some “Positive Output” according to its objectives. Example – The United States showed interest to give a million vaccines to India. Still, the Indian Pharma company says, “We can do it our own as India has exported millions of vaccines to other countries worldwide”. Thus, the United States does not have any clear Blueprint to contain China as of now. On the other hand, the QUAD member states have involved in activities such as Malabar – joint Military Drills, Naval Exercises and trying to get more countries in QUAD alliance. Still, nothing seems working effectively, concrete and easily so far.

India’s Modi Government seems to have a defensive and moderate stance over QUAD Alliance and its objective to Contain China. There has been direct and indirect statement over the U.S Indo Pacific Strategy from India’s Top Diplomats and Officials. And, the message does not reflect as many reactions as the U.S expect India to show. The Narendra Modi administration certainly avoids direct conflict with China and tries to refrain from taking any decisive action against Chinese expansionism. Though, India is the one who is most affected by the Chinese “Aggressive Expansionism Policies”. And, that is the reason, Biden administration expects India to show some active measures against China being its closest neighbour and most affected QUAD partner.

Foreign Minister of India Dr S. Jaishankar said the QUAD is something “Not -Against someone (China) but, for something”. It is to make Land and Maritime borders safe and secure. He said it is for peaceful East Asia and the South China Sea, and as many ASEAN member states have raised their concerns over China’s expansionism in the South China Sea, which is a leading dispute. Here notably, the Foreign Minister discussed South China expansionism but avoided mentioning PLA’s Ladakh and Arunachal Pradesh scuffles with Indian soldiers, shows India refrain from directly confronting China.

Director of PTI Board of Directors Shivshankar Menon says India-China needs to handle issues that divide us and settle our differences. But, he added, to reset our relationship, the first step is to keep peace on borders. The President of the Center for China Analysis said in a summit; it’s not a question of being hurt but absent trust. We are trying to fix our relations, but the Chinese have blown it apart. Thus, India has maintained a very strategic Moderate stance on QUAD and U.S Indo Pacific Strategy.

As per the latest update, QUAD nations to join France in naval drills. And Chinese President Xi Jinping has warned Bangladesh against joining the Anti– Beijing QUAD club by saying it would substantially damage Chinese – Bangladesh Bilateral ties. Also, the United Kingdom seems tilting towards joining the QUAD club, but there’s no official confirmation so far.

After the recent COVID outbreak, the countries worldwide have offered and supplied all possible immediate help to India, including The United States and China. The New Delhi confirmed that it has no “Conceptual problems with China” recently where India has got Great Oxygen supplies and other COVID related aid from China. It’s indeed a need of the hour for India, which has excellent support from China and the United States. Now, India will likely reassess and shape its foreign policy to work towards economic and political objectives in its engagement with China.