Context: Contextualising the importance and limitations of Quad for India in light of recent developments.
Significance of Quad:
To counter China’s expanding footprint: In South Asia and Indian Ocean Region over the last few years.
China’s ambitious Belt and Road Initiative proposing logistical connectivity across Eurasia and the Indian Ocean, is viewed as encroachments into India’s strategic space.
India responded with up-gradation of its naval capabilities and enhancement of ties with the Indian Ocean Region littoral states and other major powers in the region.
Shared concern and deepening security ties with US: Due to the rising tension in the Indo-Pacific (that views the western Pacific and the Indian Ocean as an integrated geopolitical space)
Interoperability of defence equipment and training based on defence purchases, frequent land and sea exercises, and agreements harmonising the two countries’ military doctrines and operations.
US State Department has regarded it as having “essential momentum and important potential”.
Key concerns
Reluctance to join an overt anti-China coalition:
For E.g., at the Shangri La Dialogue in 2018, Prime Minister Narendra Modi described the Indo-Pacific as a “geographical definition” and denied it as a “strategy” directed against any country.
Ignores the principle areas of security concerns: India, only Quad member that shares an un-demarcated 3500 km land border with China.
With the recent Ladakh skirmishes, China has given India a rude reminder that India’s security concerns lie in its northern borders, not the west Pacific.
Lack of strategic vision: Inability to deter China in the West Pacific and its member’s anxiety to maintain close ties with China.
E.g. In 2020, China became India’s number one trade partner, with two-way trade at $77 billion.
Again, China-U.S. trade continues to favour China, American investors hold $1 trillion of Chinese equity, and 75% of US companies in China say they will continue to invest there.
Core structural problem:Narrow US aspirations
Biased interests: US interests lie in maintaining its global hegemony.
Folly of ‘rules-based world order: Despite the rhetoric, rules are mostly violated by US.
US’s self-centricity: In defining and pursuing its interests, leading to risks of major policy shifts due to government change or domestic lobbies.
Member’s concerns: Quad hardly serves security interests of its members.
Way forward: Lessons for India from stand-off at Ladakh
Focus national attention and resources: in areas of abiding its interest that is the border, the neighbours and the Indian Ocean.
Rebuilding of ties with China: Will help India to dilute its focus on Indo-Pacific and Quad.
Highlighted deficiencies at home: Government vision of national ethos on the basis of narrow and exclusive political ideology threatening India’s commitment to democratic pluralism.
A cohesive strategic vision: A foreign policy cannot be a part-time concern (which has often been ad hoc, reactive and short term), in terms of priority and attention, it should be on a par with domestic affairs.