The Quad Factor in the Indo-Pacific and the Role of India

Journal of Indo-Pacific Affairs, Volume 04, Issue 02, Spring 2021, pp. 78-85.

8 Pages Posted: 21 Mar 2021

See all articles by Amrita Jash

Amrita Jash

Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE)

Date Written: March 08, 2021

Abstract

While the world has come to a grinding halt under the COVID-19 pandemic, the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue, commonly called the Quad, took traction under this very crisis. While countering China ranks high on the Quad’s agenda, the unfolding security environment makes it appear to have become the key agenda. That is to argue, although the Quad has not outright stated this fact, China, undeniably, is the elephant in the room. The fact that Beijing is excluded from the four-member grouping itself quantifies the very logic behind the making of the Quad. In this case, the Quad can be seen as a new kind of twenty-first-century security alliance.

What adds to the complexity of the grouping is the increasing polarization caused by the US–China rift, with both nations calling for others to “join” its side. The growing contingencies are pushing the Quad to take a greater role in fighting against nontraditional and traditional security risks. Here, the key queries remain: Has the Quad adopted a “fire-fighting” mode? If so, does that make China anxious? What is the role of India in the Indo-Pacific?

Keywords: Quad, Indo-Pacific, China, India, US-China

Suggested Citation

Jash, Amrita, The Quad Factor in the Indo-Pacific and the Role of India (March 08, 2021). Journal of Indo-Pacific Affairs, Volume 04, Issue 02, Spring 2021, pp. 78-85., Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=3804709

Amrita Jash (Contact Author)

Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE) ( email )

Manipal

Do you have negative results from your research you’d like to share?

Paper statistics

Downloads
892
Abstract Views
1,797
Rank
49,265
PlumX Metrics