India’s Role in the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue in Countervailing China

Abstract

The significant rise of China's economy and military power has severe implications for the stability of the Indo-Pacific region. In response, the United States (US), Japan, Australia, and India formed a strategic partnership, the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (QSD), which aims to countervail China in the region. In addition, the transformation of the Asia-Pacific region into the Indo-Pacific region, which unites the two geographic features of the Pacific and the Indian Oceans in a free and open Indo-Pacific strategy, encourages India to play a more significant role. India represents a regional power in the Indian Ocean that counterbalances China's dominance in the Indo-Pacific. Therefore, this article analyzes the impact of India's engagement in QSD to countervail China's power in the region. This research uses a qualitative methodology in a case study with secondary data collection techniques and the concepts of balancing as analytical tools. On the one hand, the authors conclude that India's presence in QSD as a Net Security Provider provides an advantage for QSD to countervail China in the region. On the other hand, QSD offers an opportunity for India to enhance its role and strengthen its position as a regional hegemon with its Act East policy.

Keywords: Indo-Pacific, QSD, Chinese military, the balance of power

DOI: 10.7176/IAGS/96-02

Publication date:August 31^st 2022