Back in the game: Quad and India-US relations

Prime minister Narendra Modi’s summit meeting with US President Joe Biden, and his First in-person meeting of the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue The move marks a significant step in India’s engagement with major global powers as it seeks to revive its economy and strategic role in the aftermath of the COVID-19 crisis. The issue of vaccine availability was at the center of the meeting of the two leaders – and a significant victory for the Biden administration as it received Mr Modi’s assurance that as the world’s largest vaccine maker, India would resume supplies to the global COVAX pool. . ‘Vaccine Friendship’ program. The breakthrough comes after turmoil in the sector earlier this year, when India halted exports after facing criticism for domestic supply constraints as it battled a devastating second wave of COVID-19. Around the same time the US also enacted its Defense Production Act, effectively preventing the export of raw materials for vaccine manufacturing, prioritizing domestic production. The two countries are now moving forward on their domestic vaccination programs, although the US is still struggling to overcome vaccine hesitation in some states, with the summit giving them the opportunity to hold long-pending talks on trade, defense ties and more. given the opportunity. The confluence of those two areas was reaffirmed by Mr Biden that India remains a ‘major defense partner’, making it a major nation with which Washington can share information in advanced military technologies and foster cooperation. could strengthen, for example, a recently air-launched project of co-development of unmanned aerial vehicles.

Issues of global concern, including the ongoing pandemic, climate change, technology cooperation, supply chain and security, and preserving a free and open Indo-Pacific, were the topics that came up in the Quad gathering. Following on the heels of the first virtual summit of the four leaders in March 2021, the meeting builds on the intention of the Quad member states – India, the US, Australia and Japan – to ensure an Indo-Pacific region “free from coercion”. For. and disputes … resolved in accordance with international law”. While India has sought to separate its role as a member of the Quad from the recently announced Australia-UK-US (AUKUS) partnership, there is no doubt Not that a fleet of nuclear powered submarines for Australia will be built under the AUC framework. India’s strategic calculations with regard to the Indo-Pacific region have significant and positive implications. From New Delhi’s perspective, health concerns and economic revival At the top of the policy agenda. It is time for India to rapidly deepen cooperative initiatives with the US regarding vaccines and trade, and vigorously engage with the Quad for regional stability. To navigate an uncertain global ecosystem. This is the optimal strategy for whoever finds himself now.