The contours of global relations have changed beyond recognition since India joined the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue, a strategic partnership between India, the United States, Japan and Australia (QUAD), formally in 2007. Things have turned southwards particularly following the border clashes with China and, more recently, due to India’s deteriorating relations with the United States. The Quad underwent significant transformations in recent years to become a central pillar of India’s foreign policy in the Indo-Pacific.

It evolved into a strategic partnership focused on ensuring regional security and stability, particularly in response to China’s growing influence. It serves as a counterpoint to China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), which has been instrumental in expanding Beijing’s influence through the financing of infrastructure projects across Asia, Africa and Latin America. As the Quad continues to expand its scope, developments at the 2024 Quad Summit and India’s well-negotiated disengagement with China along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) illustrate how New Delhi must adeptly balance its national interests.

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These developments demonstrate how the Quad has evolved beyond a loose coalition of like-minded democracies to become a platform for tangible regional projects. This shift is crucial for India, as it enables New Delhi to contribute to regional security without explicitly engaging in direct military confrontations with China. While the Quad has become a valuable platform for India, its strategic calculus is complicated by its relationship with China. India and China have a protracted history of border disputes, which culminated in a lethal confrontation in the Galwan Valley in 2020.

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However, recent disengagement efforts along the LAC indicate a potential de-escalation, though the relationship remains fraught with tension. This disengagement is significant as it influences India’s engagement with the Quad and its positioning vis-à-vis China. For India, maintaining a peaceful border with China is........

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