The recent one-day meeting of the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (Quad) in Delaware, United States, highlighted the complex dynamics among its members. While initially positioned as a partnership for promoting a free and open Indo-Pacific, the meeting’s agenda was predominantly focused on addressing concerns about the Chinese mainland’s rising influence in the region.
Despite the Quad’s shared interest in regional stability, India’s unique foreign policy approach poses challenges to the group’s cohesion. As the least committed member, India wields significant influence over the Quad’s agenda. The need to keep India engaged has led other members—the United States, Japan, and Australia—to navigate carefully around India’s independent actions, particularly regarding its relationships with Russia.
India’s imports of Russian oil have surged since international sanctions were imposed on Russia, reflecting its strategic priorities and energy needs. Furthermore, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s post-election visit to Russia reinforced economic ties, facilitating trade that helps Russia mitigate the impact of sanctions related to the Ukraine conflict.
The Quad’s efforts to present a unified front are further complicated by India’s active participation in the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO). As the chair of the SCO, India engages with a group that includes economic and security cooperation with countries such as Russia and China, which may have objectives contrary to the Quad’s aims.
This dual engagement underscores the delicate balance India maintains between its partnerships. The Quad’s effectiveness is influenced by the necessity to accommodate India’s strategic autonomy, which sometimes leads to divergent interests within the group. The other Quad members face the challenge of aligning their policies without alienating India, whose involvement is crucial for the group’s regional significance.
The situation illustrates the complexities of international alliances in today’s geopolitical landscape. The Quad’s future actions will likely continue to be shaped by the interplay between collective goals and individual member states’ national interests.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
