India, the Quad's driving force and a regional growth engine,says US

 

Days after the fourth summit of the strategic security bloc in Melbourne, Australia, the United States stated India is a driving force in the Quad and an engine for regional progress.

During the Quad meeting on February 11, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar led the Indian delegation, while Secretary of State Tony Blinken represented the United States. India, the United States, Japan, and Australia make up the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue.

"We recognise India as a like-minded partner and leader in South Asia and the Indian Ocean, active in and connected to Southeast Asia, a driving force of the Quad, and an engine for regional growth and development," White House principal deputy press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre told reporters on Monday in Washington.

The Joe Biden administration, as said by Pierre, will continue to create a strategic partnership in which the US and India would work together to maintain stability in South Asia, collaborate in new areas such as cyberspace, and health. She also stated that both countries will collaborate to create a free and open Indo-Pacific.

As per Hindustan Times, the US unveiled its new Indo-Pacific policy on February 11, recognising the growing challenge posed by China's assertiveness in the Indo-Pacific, as well as India's centrality in the area.

The recent Quad meeting addressed India-China ties, which have deteriorated since the 2020 border conflicts.

Due to Beijing's contempt for written agreements, Jaishankar has blamed Beijing for the current scenario at the Line of Actual Control (LAC).

"Yes, we (Quad) discussed India-China relations as part of how we briefed each other on what was going on in our neighbourhood. And it's an issue that a lot of countries legitimately care about, especially those in the Indo-Pacific," Jaishankar explained.

When a large country, such as China, ignores written agreements, it is a genuine source of concern for the entire international community, Jaishankar continued.