Hindu Editorial Analysis : 22-July-2024

India is actively shaping its Indo-Pacific strategy through various international platforms. One significant event is the upcoming meeting of Quad foreign ministers in Tokyo at the end of July. This meeting highlights India’s commitment to strengthening its position in the Indo-Pacific region.

The Importance of Quad

Strategic Significance

The Quad, which includes the United States, Japan, Australia, and India, plays a crucial role in promoting a rules-based international order. For India, the Quad is vital for several reasons:

  • Counterbalancing China: The Quad helps India counterbalance China’s growing influence and assertiveness in the Indo-Pacific. This is essential for protecting India’s maritime trade routes and ensuring freedom of navigation in international waters.
  • Military Cooperation: The platform encourages military collaboration, intelligence sharing, and joint exercises. These efforts aim to maintain maritime security and uphold the rule of law.
  • “Act East” Policy Alignment: India’s involvement in the Quad supports its “Act East” policy, which focuses on deeper engagement with East Asian nations and enhancing maritime security.
  • Strengthened Relations with the U.S.: Through the Quad, India can enhance its relations with the United States, leading to better cooperation in various areas.
Diplomatic Leverage

The Quad also serves as a diplomatic tool for India. It strengthens bilateral relationships with other member countries, including Japan and Australia. This fosters deeper strategic partnerships that go beyond just maritime security to include trade, technology, and global governance.

The Role of BRICS

Economic Cooperation

BRICS, consisting of Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa, focuses on economic collaboration and global governance reform:

  • Infrastructure Funding: The New Development Bank (NDB) facilitates funding for infrastructure projects, essential for economic growth.
  • Trade Diversification and Technology Transfer: BRICS promotes trade diversification and technology transfer, which are crucial for India’s development aspirations.
Global Governance Reform

India uses BRICS to advocate for reforms in international financial institutions like the IMF and World Bank. This aims to increase the representation of emerging economies in global governance.

Cultural and Academic Exchange

BRICS fosters cultural and academic exchanges, enhancing mutual understanding among member countries and strengthening people-to-people ties.

Challenges Ahead

India’s involvement in the Quad faces challenges, particularly from China, which views it as a containment strategy. Additionally, the diverse priorities of BRICS members can complicate consensus on key issues.

Despite initiatives like the NDB, questions remain about the effectiveness of BRICS in addressing global challenges. Furthermore, India has accepted BRICS expansion under pressure from China and Russia, despite its reservations.

Why In News

India will push its Indo-Pacific agenda through a crucial meeting of Quad foreign ministers at the end of July in Tokyo, aiming to strengthen strategic ties and address regional security challenges.

MCQs about India’s Role in the Indo-Pacific

  1. What is the primary purpose of the upcoming Quad foreign ministers meeting in Tokyo?
    A. To discuss environmental issues
    B. To promote India’s Indo-Pacific agenda
    C. To negotiate trade agreements
    D. To plan military exercises
    Correct Answer: B. To promote India’s Indo-Pacific agenda
    Explanation: The meeting aims to strengthen strategic ties and address regional security challenges as part of India’s efforts in the Indo-Pacific region.
  2. Which of the following best describes the role of the Quad in relation to China?
    A. It aims to strengthen economic ties with China.
    B. It serves as a platform for cultural exchange with China.
    C. It helps India counterbalance China’s growing influence.
    D. It excludes China from all discussions.
    Correct Answer: C. It helps India counterbalance China’s growing influence.
    Explanation: The Quad is significant for India as it helps counterbalance China’s assertiveness in the Indo-Pacific region.
  3. What initiative does BRICS primarily focus on?
    A. Military cooperation
    B. Cultural festivals
    C. Economic collaboration and global governance reform
    D. Environmental sustainability
    Correct Answer: C. Economic collaboration and global governance reform.
    Explanation: BRICS focuses on economic cooperation, including initiatives like the New Development Bank, and advocates for reforms in global financial institutions.
  4. What challenge does India face in its participation in BRICS?
    A. Lack of funding for projects
    B. Diverse economic and geopolitical priorities among member countries
    C. Overwhelming support from all member nations
    D. A unified stance on all global issues
    Correct Answer: B. Diverse economic and geopolitical priorities among member countries.
    Explanation: The diverse priorities of BRICS members can complicate consensus-building on key issues, making cooperation challenging.

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