By Nitya Chakraborty
With the U.S. President Donald Trump himself downgrading the status of the four nation Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (QUAD), why is Indian government spending so much of its precious time on QUAD meetings? It is sheer wastage of time for the Prime Minister Narendra Modi as also Foreign Minister Dr. S Jaishankar. US state secretary Marco Rubio came to India on a four day visit beginning May 23. He left on May 26 after the QUAD foreign ministers meeting. Before that on Saturday, itself Rubio met PM Modi. He got what he wanted, but What was the gain of India?
The only important outcome of QUAD meeting on Tuesday was the signing of India-US critical minerals framework. The US which is desperately looking for supremacy in the domain of critical minerals after being cornered by China, is seeking such agreements with the concerned countries. Such agreements will be signed by QUAD also with other likeminded countries. India has good deposits of critical minerals. India will be in a better position if the officials can do a hard bargain with USA about the development of the critical minerals and its use. India can make use of this as a bargain for getting new technology.
QUAD consists of big brother USA, India, Japan and Australia. Indian foreign minister Dr. S Jaishankar hosted the meeting on May 26 and as usual the Indo-Pacific security was discussed. The QUAD nations agreed on Indo-Pacific Maritime Surveillance Initiative and on a Common Operating Picture in the maritime domain. This is intended against China, though China’s name has not been mentioned.
Now in the context of Trump’s summit with Xi Jinping in Beijing on May 14 and 15, this Indo-Pacific security issue also is not a big issue for Trump. In the Beijing summit, Indo-Pacific region security did not get any priority from Trump. This was mentioned in general, but no special emphasis was there from the US President’s side. Trump was more interested in major economic issues as also big political issues like Iran war and Taiwan. Japanese Prime Minister wanted Trump to take up the issue in a big way but Trump just ignored Japanese advice.
That way, even this surveillance mechanism will be used by USA only, India can not expect any real help from USA if any such eventuality in maritime waters against China arises. India has to depend more on the country’s own experts to acquire maximum info on maritime situation.
The moot question is in the changed geo political situation and the bilateral relationship between China and USA, the earlier equations are not working. India will have to reassess the situation in Indo-Pacific from its own perspective and deal with the USA in the region on the basis of strategic autonomy.
President Trump revived QUAD grouping during his first term in 2017 but in the second term, till now, no QUAD summit has been held. Trump indicated that QUAD summit would be held in New Delhi in 2025 but it was not held. Now in 2026, foreign ministers meeting was held on Tuesday, but there is no indication of the holding of any summit. What is the point of carrying on QUAD when the head of the group himself refuses to hold summit.
In 2026, PM Narendra Modi’s diplomatic calendar is full. India is hosting BRICS summit on September 14 and 15 this year. Before that on June 15-17, the G7 meeting will be held in France. President Emanuel Macron has invited Indian PM to attend that. Thereafter, SCO summit is at Kyrgyzstan on August 31 and September 1. Indian PM has been invited there also. Similarly apart from G7 in Paris, Trump himself is hosting G-20 summit at Florida on December 14 and 15 this year. PM Modi is also expected to be there at Florida though officially, it is too early for India to confirm the visit.
Since the QUAD FM’s meeting was over on May 26 and the summit may not take place, India should focus all its energy on the success of the BRICS summit on September 14 and 15 this year. BRICS has eleven members now including Iran and some other Gulf countries. PM Modi has to work hard to restore his status which he has lost in the recent period by identifying fully with the US position. India has given up on its strategic autonomy vis a vis USA. It is time to restore that and present India as a strong nation defending the interests of global south. India should give up this QUAD mirage and solely concentrate on the success of the coming BRICS summit. (IPA Service)
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