The global order keeps on evolving. The 21st century has witnessed a shift from the Atlantic to the Pacific. The ascendency of Asia in multiple spheres has captured the global attention. The major powers in Asia have carved out a path for themselves especially in the international security architecture. The Indo-Pacific region has become a critical component of International relations today. India and China have emerged as the major power centers in Asia. The growth of China technologically, militarily and economically is now challenging the established world order. It has been claiming territorial and maritime spaces in various regions. The Indo-pacific region has assumed significance as major Sea lines of Communications (SLOC’s) pass through it. Being a resource rich region in terms of oil and natural gas it has further assumed importance. Chinese have asserted claims over the South China Sea. This has led to contestations among the littoral states in the South China Sea as majority of the claims made by China overlap with the Exclusive Economic Zones of other nations like Vietnam, Philippines etc. This research paper aims to analyze China’s policy in the South China Sea and the broader Indo-Pacific. It then further talks of India’s interest in the region and the policies India has adopted to strengthen its relations with the littoral states in the SCS. Moreover, the paper in detail discusses the evolution of the idea of the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue. The research paper also talks about the approaches adopted by United States, Australia, India and Japan in the Quadrilateral security dialogue to ensure freedom of navigation in the Indo-Pacific. The paper further suggest policy options for India to in the short and medium term vis-à-vis the Indo-Pacific region and the Quad.
Keywords:Indo-Pacific, Quadrilateral Security Dialogue, South China Sea, Southeast Asia, India
