India’s Role in QUAD and Indo-Pacific Region

The Beginning

The Indo-Pacific has come to command significant attention in the discourse of international relations, owing to the intricate entanglement of geopolitical ambitions, economic momentum, and emergent security dynamics within the region. Spanning a wide and heterogeneous landscape, it has gained prominence not merely as an economic powerhouse but also as a strategic theater influencing global power configurations. The intersection of intensifying rivalries among major powers, maritime strategic concerns, and realigning diplomatic relationships highlights the region’s expanding geopolitical weight. Consequently, it has evolved into a vital space for strategic deliberation, policy innovation, and academic exploration.

Measures for Strategic Geopolitical Paradigm

Various measures have been taken with respect to QUAD set of framework initiatives namely, the ‘ Counter Terrorism Working Group’ (CTWG) meeting that was held in 2023. Combating terrorism is need of the hour and with all party parliamentary delegations from India educating the world about zero tolerance stance of India on terrorism, CTWG hold immense importance. Indo- Pacific Economic Framework (IPEF) aims to improve flexibility, financial growth, equity ,sustainability and competitiveness in Indo -Pacific region. Maritime security is another important feature of the QUAD and Malabar Exercise involving India and QUAD countries in an important initiative. The issue of cyber security alongside promotion of technology plays an important role in maintenance of security and technology development. The Critical and Emerging Technology Working Group is an important initiative in this regard.Quad Clean Energy Supply Chain Diversification Program (2023): It aims to support the development of secure and diversified clean energy supply chains in the Indo-Pacific region. The Quad Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation Package sought to introduce Climate Information Services Taskforce, aiming to collect early data on warning systems amd Climate through infrastructure and capacity development in Indo-Pacific Region.Various measures have been taken with respect to QUAD set of framework initiatives namely, the ‘ Counter Terrorism Working Group’ (CTWG) meeting that was held in 2023. Combating terrorism is need of the hour and with all party parliamentary delegations from India educating the world about zero tolerance stance of India on terrorism, CTWG hold immense importance. Indo- Pacific Economic Framework (IPEF) aims to improve flexibility, financial growth, equity ,sustainability and competitiveness in Indo -Pacific region. Maritime security is another important feature of the QUAD and Malabar Exercise involving India and QUAD countries in an important initiative. The issue of cyber security alongside promotion of technology plays an important role in maintenance of security and technology development. The Critical and Emerging Technology Working Group is an important initiative in this regard.Quad Clean Energy Supply Chain Diversification Program (2023) aims to promote creation of secure and diversified clean energy supply chains in the Indo-Pacific region. The Quad Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation Package sought to introduce Climate Information Services Taskforce. This taskforce essentially collects data on warning systems and climate. This achieved through building of infrastructure and maximizing the development of capacity in Indo-Pacific Region . Initiatives such as Quad Partnership for Cable Connectivity and Resilience, and Quad Infrastructure Fellowships , aim at promoting infrastructure development in Indo Pacific Region.

Current State of Affairs

India’s recent diplomatic recalibration—evident in its managed disengagement with China along the Line of Actual Control (LAC)—comes at a time when the Quad is expanding its agenda. This evolving landscape requires India to carefully navigate its strategic priorities while leveraging its growing influence in the Indo-Pacific.

The 2024 Quad Summit marked a pivotal juncture, unveiling a slate of collaborative efforts aimed at enhancing regional stability, infrastructure, and resilience. Among the most prominent is the Quad Ports of the Future Partnership, a forward-looking initiative designed to modernize and secure port infrastructure across the Indo-Pacific. Positioned as a sustainable alternative to China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), it reflects the Quad’s intent to shape regional development norms.

In a significant gesture of leadership, India will host the first Regional Ports and Transportation Conference in Mumbai in 2025. This move reinforces India’s maritime vision under the SAGAR (Security and Growth for All in the Region) doctrine, which prioritizes collective maritime security, regional connectivity, and economic growth.

A major step toward operational coordination is the planned Quad-at-Sea Ship Observer Mission 2025. This multilateral exercise—featuring the Indian, Japanese, and U.S. Coast Guards along with the Australian Border Force—will take place aboard a U.S. Coast Guard vessel. Its goal is to improve joint operational readiness and promote a unified approach to maritime safety and domain awareness.

Further solidifying its regional role, the Quad also announced the following flagship initiatives:

Quad Cancer Moonshot: Aimed at expanding cancer treatment and research collaboration across the region.

Indo-Pacific Partnership for Maritime Domain Awareness (IPMDA): Focused on real-time maritime surveillance and security coordination.

Quad Clean Energy Supply Chain Diversification Program: Targeting the development of alternative clean energy networks to reduce dependence on singular sources.

These developments demonstrate that the Quad is evolving beyond its security origins into a platform for broader regional cooperation—advancing shared values of openness, sustainability, and inclusivity in the Indo-Pacific.

ANALYSIS

On April 1st,2025, President Droupadi Murmu and Chinese President Xi Jinping swapped pleasantries as a recognition to mark the 75 years of diplomatic ties between these two countries. Interestingly, Chinese counterpart remarked about their relationship mutually benefits both countries that are on the cusp of respective stages of modernization. In the same vein, Prime Minister Modi remarked about critical ramifications in form “global stability and prosperity ” and key role in the event of advent of a “the emergence of a multi-polar world ” , with respect to progress in bilateral relations between India and China.

The aforementioned developments certainly put India in a key critical position. India should maintain a strategic silence and practice discretion . Maintenence of a delicate balance is the key; picking fights and indulging in premature disclosures with respect to China within a larger multi-dimensional working of QUAD in Indo-Pacific Region wouldn’t be of much help. Instead, India should deepen defense collaboration with Quad nations, take a leading role in development and climate financing, leverage Quad platforms to strengthen its digital and technological autonomy, and align these efforts with domestic initiatives like Make in India and Atmanirbhar Bharat to maximize strategic and economic gains.