The Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (Quad) Summit held on March 12, 2021, is yet another event that clearly shows that the United States (US) perceives China as the most significant rival to its hegemony. This is why America’s policy toward China remains the same irrespective of the party occupying the White House.
Analysts were hopeful that the Biden administration would adopt the path of reconciliation and smoothen the strain relations with China. However, the Quad Summit shatters all hopes of pacification. The joint statement issued emphasised security challenges, taking precedence amongst all the issues discussed in the security dialogue. Even though China was not named, reading between the lines suggests that the Quad’s call for a free, open, inclusive and healthy Indo-Pacific region anchored by democratic values and unconstrained by coercion was a direct shot at China.
Washington perceives Beijing as a threat to its strategic and economic interests in the Indo-Pacific region. Resultantly, the US military’s support for New Delhi will grow in the attempts to make India a counterbalancing power against China. The Quad’s agenda on critical technologies, especially member countries gearing for greater cooperation in cyberspace and navigation, rings alarm bells for Beijing, Islamabad and any other state interested in peace and mutual development in the region.
The security dialogue contained both broad substance and deep symbolism. Biden’s early push for the Quad engagement must be seen as part of his promise to restore America’s global leadership and reaffirm regional alliances that went sore during Trump’s presidency. Ultimately, like his predecessor, Biden has also chosen the path of confrontation vis a vis China.
The Quad needs to evolve from a China-focused club of four to a more development-oriented programme. Furthermore, the members, in their efforts to “democratise the region” will only cause more strife, especially now that India has come out openly against Beijing in the virtual meeting. This makes it essential for players like Pakistan, China and Russia to watch these new developments closely and shore up alliances where possible.