The recent Quad foreign ministers’ meeting in Tokyo avoided directly mentioning China but addressed issues relevant to Beijing’s assertive actions in the region. The statement emphasized a commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific, promoting a regional order without dominance in the South China Sea. The Quad plans to enhance maritime domain awareness in the Indian Ocean and continue the deployment of Open RAN telecommunications in the Pacific Islands, offering alternatives to countries to make independent choices without coercion. The Quad also reaffirmed the 2016 Arbitral Tribunal ruling, which invalidated China’s extensive maritime claims in the South China Sea, as a basis for peacefully resolving territorial disputes.
These actions come amid ongoing tensions between India and China. External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar described the bilateral relationship as “not normal,” citing China’s resistance to disengagement talks and evidence of Chinese troops entrenching along the disputed border. China has also increased its activities in India’s sphere of influence, despite growing trade imbalances favoring China. Recent meetings between Jaishankar and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi have yielded little progress, suggesting a need for higher-level political engagement to achieve de-escalation.
