Navigating complexities in Indo-Pacific: India's approach to Quad and Chinese challenge

The geopolitical landscape of the 21st century is being reshaped in the Indo-Pacific, and India stands at its epicentre. The Sixth Quad Leaders’ Summit, held on September 21, 2024, in Wilmington, Delaware, marks a pivotal moment in this transformation. As global attention increasingly shifts to this vast and dynamic region, India’s role in shaping its future has never been more crucial.

India has also taken a responsible view of this coalition of like-minded democracies in so far as adherence to the Free and Open Indo-Pacific and rules-based order are concerned. A constructive and inclusive dimension remains the driving force for India. This was quite clearly evident in the Wilmington Declaration, where the Indian footprint was deepened by the MAITRI (Maritime Initiative for Training in the Indo-Pacific) and Cancer Moon Shot initiatives. The Indian approach has also veered the Quad grouping from a sole security perspective to an engine for creating and sustaining alternate and reliable global value and supply chains, which seeks to encash on India’s intrinsic strengths.

The Quadrilateral Security Dialogue, or Quad, comprising India, the United States, Japan, and Australia, has emerged as a key strategic grouping in recent years. Born out of shared democratic values and common interests, the Quad has evolved from its initial focus on coordinating disaster response to addressing a wide array of regional challenges. It is also a fact that Quad means different things to each constituent with China’s hegemonism in mind. But Prime Minister Narendra Modi reiterated it is a force for ‘Global Good’ and India wants an inclusive Indo-Pacific. This was also clarified ab initio in his remarks at the ‘Shangri La’ Dialogue in Singapore in 2018 itself.

As India navigates its path in this complex geopolitical environment and a disrupted world order, it is engaged in leveraging the opportunities presented by the Quad while managing the growing influence of China in the region. This delicate balancing act will not only define India’s future in international relations but also play a significant role in shaping the Indo-Pacific’s security and economic landscape. Of course, a lot will depend on Chinese behaviour going forward. India does not believe in an Asian NATO, which China seems to fear and the new Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba seems to want. For India, the Quad is not a Squad (a grouping that consists of the US, Japan, Australia, and the Phillipines), as the convergences on critical issues including maritime navigation and security and proposed frameworks like the Joint Coast Guard collaborative mechanism and Malabar exercises promote interoperability among the naval assets of the four member countries.

The Indo-Pacific Region: A Geopolitical Overview

The Indo-Pacific, stretching from the eastern shores of Africa to the western coast of the Americas, including the North West Indian Ocean region, has become the world’s most economically dynamic region. It is home to more than half of the global population and accounts for over 60 per cent of global GDP, with over $2 trillion in trade passing through the South China Sea alone. Hence, the region’s strategic importance lies not just in its economic potential but also in its critical maritime routes, which facilitate and help navigate a significant portion of global trade.

However, the region faces numerous challenges. Territorial disputes in the South and East China Sea, threats to freedom of navigation, and increasing militarisation have created a complex security environment. The ongoing competition between the United States and China for regional influence adds another layer of complexity to this geopolitical puzzle. Express violations of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea Treaty and defiance of International Court of Justice rulings have become fashionable for the Chinese Navy.

India’s position in this region is unique. India is a resident power in the Indian Ocean. With its extensive coastline and strategic location, India has vital interests in ensuring maritime security, fostering economic engagement, and maintaining regional stability. Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of SAGAR (Security and Growth for All in the Region) encapsulates India’s approach to the Indo-Pacific, emphasising cooperation, respect for international law, and inclusive economic growth.

Chinese Challenge in Indo-Pacific

China’s growing economic and military influence in the Indo-Pacific has been a significant factor in shaping regional dynamics. The Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), China’s ambitious infrastructure development strategy, has expanded its economic footprint across the region and beyond. While the BRI (Belt and Road Initiative) may promise economic benefits, it has also raised concerns about debt traps and strategic dependencies. At the same time, with regard to India, it directly impinges on its sovereignty and territorial integrity as it creates imbalances in India’s neighbourhood through the String of Pearls strategy.

China’s military modernisation and its assertive military actions in the South China Sea have created security concerns for many regional players. The construction of artificial islands and militarisation of disputed territories have heightened tensions and challenged the established rules-based international order.

While the Quad does not explicitly name China in its declarations, there’s little doubt that China’s actions have been a driving force behind the Quad’s formation and evolution. The Quad’s focus on ensuring a free and open Indo-Pacific, promoting transparent infrastructure investment, and enhancing maritime domain awareness can be seen as direct responses to China’s BRI and its actions in the South China Sea.

India, sharing a long and often contentious border with China, has also been directly affected by this shift in regional power dynamics. The 2020 border clashes in the Galwan Valley marked a low point in India-China relations and highlighted the need for India to reassess its strategic posture. In response, India has been strengthening its own military capabilities, particularly its navy, and forming closer ties with like-minded partners, including the Quad members.

India’s Perspective on Indo-Pacific Stability

India’s approach to the Indo-Pacific is guided by its vision of the region as a free, open, and inclusive space. Economically, India has been deepening its engagement with key partners in the region. The India-Japan vision 2025 for a Special Strategic and Global Partnership, strengthened ties with Australia, and increased cooperation with ASEAN nations—whose centrality is the key—are all part of India’s Indo-Pacific Economic Framework (IPEF) and Act East Policy.

India’s contributions to the Quad have been significant. Its strategic location, growing economic clout, and diplomatic influence make it an indispensable partner in the alliance. India has played a crucial role in shaping the Quad’s agenda, particularly in areas such as maritime security, disaster response, and technology cooperation.

From a security perspective, India’s primary focus has been on safeguarding the Indian Ocean region. The expansion of India’s naval capabilities, increased maritime cooperation with partners like the US, Australia, and Japan, and initiatives like the Information Fusion Centre for the Indian Ocean Region (IFC-IOR) demonstrate India’s commitment to maritime security.

Diplomatically, India continues to balance its position between the Quad and its bilateral relationship with China. While tensions with China have increased in recent years, India has not abandoned efforts to manage the relationship through dialogue and engagement. This approach reflects India’s broader strategy of multi-alignment, where it seeks to maintain beneficial relationships with all major powers while avoiding excessive dependence on any single partner.

As India charts its course in the Indo-Pacific, it faces both opportunities and challenges. The continued rise of China and its growing influence in the region will remain a critical factor shaping India’s strategic calculations, even as some recent efforts have been made to mend the ties, but the challenge will always be lurking.

Balancing economic opportunities with security concerns, managing relationships with diverse partners, and contributing to regional stability will be key challenges for Indian policymakers. The Quad presents India with a valuable platform to address these challenges. By leveraging this partnership, India can enhance its security posture, expand economic opportunities, and play a more significant role in shaping regional norms and institutions. However, India must also be prepared to navigate potential tensions that may arise from its increased alignment with the Quad, particularly in its relationship with China and other regional partners.

Looking ahead, India’s proactive engagement in the Indo-Pacific will be crucial not only for its own national interests but also for the broader stability and prosperity of the region. As a rising power with a unique geographical and strategic position, India has the potential to play a pivotal role in shaping the future of the Indo-Pacific.

As we move further into the 21st century, India’s role in the Indo-Pacific will undoubtedly be one of the defining features of the global geopolitical landscape. The choices India makes today in navigating the complex dynamics of the Quad and China’s influence will have far-reaching implications for its future and for the broader international order. The 2024 Quad Summit in Wilmington reaffirmed the group’s commitment to collective security, economic cooperation, and upholding international law. PM Modi’s description of the Quad as a “force for global good” and his definition of its role as a Quick Unified Assistance Delivery mechanism highlight India’s vision for the coalition.

Anil Trigunayat is a former Indian Ambassador to Jordan , Libya and Malta and Ambika Khemka is a research associate. The views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the authors. They do not necessarily reflect Firstpost’s views.