The Other Quad

Context: Virtual meet of the Foreign Ministers of India, U.S., Israel and UAE points to India’s strategic desire to adopt a regional foreign policy strategy towards West Asia, transcending its bilateralism.

Importance of U.S.-Israel-UAE bloc for India

• Expanding regional foreign policy: India is a member of the Quad with the U.S., Australia and Japan, which have common concerns and shared interests on East Asia.
• Scope for expanding ties: India’s key interests includes
  • Israel: Already one of India’s top defence suppliers.
  • UAE: Vital for India’s energy security, hosts millions of Indian workers, also shown interest to mediate between India and Pakistan.

Challenges in West Asia policy of India

• Changes as a part of US withdrawal: U.S. is lessening its footprint in West Asia as part of its pivot to East Asia to tackle China’s rise, which is redrawing West Asia’s traditional equations.
• Growing regional rivalries & conflicts: Although Abraham Accords made it easier for India to find common ground with Israel and UAE, the contradiction between this emerging bloc and Iran remains as intense as ever.
• Post-American Afghanistan challenges:  India, which sees itself aligned with the U.S. in Indo-Pacific, faces deepening insecurities in continental Asia after the American withdrawal from Afghanistan.

Way forward

• Stronger regional partnership with U.S.-Israel-UAE bloc shall remain India’s West Asia policy priority.
• Retain healthy relationship with countries such as Iran to deal with challenges emanating from a post-American Afghanistan.
• Deepen its engagement on trade, energy ties, fighting climate change and enhancing maritime security U.S.-Israel-UAE bloc.