India, the US, Japan and Australia have revived an alliance on the sidelines of the ASEAN summit in Manila. A meeting was held among the four countries to form this quadrilateral. It has been prompted by the need to take on the aggressive stance of China which has put South East Asian nations on the alert. Free trade in the South and East China seas has been threatened by China which has also been prickly from time to time about borders with India and Bhutan. The quadrilateral stands for a free, prosperous and inclusive India-Pacific region. The move is very much in India’s interest. When it is implemented, New Delhi can project its image in East Asia and coordinate strategies with friendly neighbours in the region. That will give a boost to its Act East policy. It was reported earlier that India was somewhat guarded in its approach to the initiative for fear of anatagonising China with which it is trying to promote amicable relations for an economic partnership.
With Sushma Swaraj piloting India’s external relations policy, New Delhi may have been a wee bit compromising. New Delhi should be assertive about the country being a major Asian power. It is also a fact that India’s interests spread all over the Asian continent and should not be confined to Chinese concerns. China overrides Indian interests almost as a routine exercise. India for its part should not be over-deferential to China. It has significant strategic opportunities in the present geopolitical scenario. New Delhi should try to move centre stage instead of sitting on the fence. That should win greater respect from King Xi’s Beijing.
