The Indo-Pacific region and its security has become the policy priority of the countries in the region and the powers as it is set to become the center of gravity of world trade and commerce. The region has been the scene of multiple and overlapping territorial claims and disputes especially in the South China Sea with increasing Chinese aggressive assertiveness and unilateral actions particularly in the South China Sea. Thus maintenance of sustained security and stability in this region of promising prosperity has assumed a focused concern of the democracies and the Quad has demonstrated considerable cooperation and vision for a stable Indo-pacific the face of challenge of rising and assertive China.
Quad’s Indo-pacific concerns and the Cornwall G7 Summit
The Cornwall G7 Summit, 2021 has put up the show of strength of ‘Collective West’ as a global force with democratic values committed to strengthening open societies and the rule-based international order. The economic potential of the Indo-pacific region and the issues of security concerns and stability get the utmost attention of the ‘Cornwall G7 Summit’. The renewed emphasis of G7 Trade Ministers Communique that “We, the G7 Trade Ministers, stand united in our commitment to free and fair trade as foundational principles and objectives of the rule-based multilateral trading system, as well as to the modernisation of international trade rule” points it.
With the slogan of ‘Build Back better” the summit has focused to unite the democracies and their economies to face the pandemic challenges and the geopolitical challenges in the Indo-pacific, vital region of world trade and commerce.2 President Joe Biden with his inaugural declaration of ‘America is back’ will surely try to stich back the transatlantic democratic unity to build framework of stability in the Indo-Pacific with ever increasing formidable geopolitical challenges in the region.
The New Atlantic Charter and its Geopolitical intent
The new Atlantic Charter was signed by the President Joe Biden and Prime Minister Boris Johnson to reflect on the new contemporary challenges by the two Atlantic powers on 10th June 2021. It has not only set the tone of the summit agenda of this ‘Western Democratic’ club but also demonstrated their unbending unity of democratic vision and a clear recommitment to face the challenges to their leadership of global order in last eighty years. Referring it ‘as revitalised Atlantic Charter’ it affirms that “We commit to working closely with all partners who share our democratic values and to countering the efforts of those who seek to undermine our alliances and institutions.”3 The apparently signifies inclusion of such non-G7 countries as India with their shared democratic values and challenges to be part of this ‘Collective’ in building a sustainable democratic world order with shared collaborative capacity in the region. The New Charter has reinvigorated the shared commitment for security and stability of the crucial geopolitical region of the century- the Indo-Pacific.
G7 Summit and Invitation to the Democracies of the Indo-Pacific Region
The invitation to India, along-with other important democracies and economies in the region- Australia, South Africa and South Korea is clear evidence of the intent. As a leading group of the economies of democracies, G7 aimed at playing decisive catalyst role in economic development and prosperity has given priority to the crucial Indo-Pacific region. In the broader planning of this ‘Western Unity’ and shared Indo-Pacific vision, India at the head of the Indian Ocean assumes profound salience. The pace of geopolitical promotion of ‘QUAD’ with its first Summit on 12th March 2021 has placed India as pivotal Indo-Pacific power. This is an apparent signal to India’s importance in the Western strategy in the region when they stated that “Together, we commit to promoting a free, open rule-based order, rooted in international law to advance security and prosperity and counter threats to both in the Indo-Pacific and beyond.4
G7 Foreign and Development Ministers’ Meeting, May 2021: Communique’ 5th May, 2021has special mention of the Indo-Pacific and states that “We reaffirm our support for the centrality of ASEAN and the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific and commit to explore concrete cooperation in line with the Outlook. We acknowledge that strengthened cooperation between the G7 members, ASEAN and other regional stakeholders is vital as we build back better from the COVID-19 pandemic and pursue a sustainable recovery to address the pressing demands of climate change.”5 The G7 stand has provided an opportunity for India re-engages itself to resume its ‘Act East Policy’ with an enhanced and revised strategy.
Indo-Pacific and “Blue Economy: Future of Prosperity
The Indo-Pacific is a promising arena of ‘Blue Economy’ of future prosperity. With their focus on harnessing the economic potential of the Indo-Pacific region, G7 has demonstrated their concerns for marine ecosystem by their commitment “to mainstream nature into all sectors and policies”. Sensing the hazards of growing economic activities and military deployment as a corollary jeopardising the marine life and their habitats, G7 envisaged a framework of “better Ocean Governance” and resort to multilateralism to manage the issues and concerns with the existing organizational structure.6
The biggest challenge, however, for the G7 countries is response to rising assertiveness of China and its growing unilateral actions in the region which can make this region a zone of protracted great power competition and confrontation. China has emerged as powerful economy and technological power. Therefore, prudence lies in developing a united rule-based stand with shared vision and strategy for a sustained engagement of China in a strategic manner.7 India can use the G7 platform to have a shared collaborative stance with the group in its dealing with the Chinese embrace of Pakistan and its support to the latter on the issue of Kashmir. This cooperation can further be utilised to check and deal with Chinese expansion of influence in the Gulf and wider West Asia, the strategic extended neighbourhood of India and security of the region is integrated with the security and stability of the Indo-Pacific.
Indo-Pacific: Strategy of the G7 member countries and partners
The G7 member countries and partners have come up with their own individual strategy and policy given the rising economic and trade stakes in the Indo-Pacific region, home to largest economies which produces 60 percent of global GDP. The European Union (EU) has launched a new strategy Indo-Pacific region in April 2021 which “recommits the EU politically to the region with the aim of contributing to its stability, security, prosperity and sustainable development, based on the promotion of democracy, rule of law, human rights and international law.”8 India has close cooperation with EU on various contemporary issues and challenges. India has formal diplomatic institutional collaboration with EU on global ‘One Health’ approach, Dialogue on Human Rights and Climate change. The recent India-EU leaders’ Meeting puts it clearly that “We emphasised our commitment to a free, open, inclusive and rule-based Indo-Pacific space” and “The EU also appreciated India’s Indo-Pacific Ocean Initiative, which intends to promote international coordination and cooperation in the Indo-Pacific.”9
France considers itself as a resident nation in the Indo-Pacific with its 1.5million population and significant military presence in the region. The French Indo-Pacific Strategy is based on the vision of security, stability, and development.10 Netherland has referred the region as center of shifting geopolitical and geo-economic of the world. It has also come with its own strategy towards the region “to adequately promote Dutch and other European economic and political interests there - the world’s primary growth region.”11 Germany, an important G7 member also have come up with their respective Indo-Pacific Strategy and policy guidelines in the wake of growing geopolitical and geo-economic importance of the region. Germany has ensured appropriate policy focus to the region and cooperation with the countries in the region. It is apparent from that “With the rise of Asia, the political and economic balance is increasingly shifting towards the Indo Pacific region. The region is becoming the key to shaping the international order in the 21st century.”12
NATO Vision of Indo-Pacific
The Pre-Summit Press Conference by the NATO Secretary General, Jens Stoltenberg has envisaged the security challenges to its G7 members in the wake of their summit. He put it emphatically that the NATO meeting on 14th June 2021 was “a pivotal moment for our Alliance and for our collective security.” We are in an age of global competition. And we must respond to many threats and challenges at the same time.” He referred these in the face push back against the rule-based international order by such rising power as China. The growing changes to the critical infrastructure and technological leadership in the face of disruptive technological challenges, he stresses the need for promoting technological cooperation of allies and creation of a ‘NATO Innovation Fund’.13 In this emerging strategy of the G7, India must coordinate its interests and visions with their evolving vision to safeguard against the challenges and be part of this grand alliance to deal with aggressive China and ensure stability of crucial geopolitical region of Indo-Pacific.
PM Modi’s Address to ‘Building Back Stronger-Health’ Session
Prime Minister Modi addressed the G7 session on ‘Building Back Stronger- Health’, focused on global recovery from the pandemic and strengthening resilient capacity to deal with pandemics in future. He stressed upon the G7 leaders for a holistic approach towards pandemic response and send the message of “One Earth One Health” for the whole world. He further emphasised for global unity, leadership, and solidarity to prevent future pandemics. To ensure firm commitment he called for the special responsibility of democratic and transparent societies and committed India’s support for collective endeavours to improve global governance.14 The G7 came to the close with their commitment to multilateralism, open society and democracy, committed to pandemic responses by providing billion doses as an immediate action and creating resilient and appropriate frameworks to strengthen collective defenses in longer term. This includes strengthening the World Health Organization (WHO) and supporting it in its leading and coordinating role in the global health system.15 This signifies the accommodation of the concerns and ideas of Prime Minister Modi in the Communique of the G7 and importance of India in their shared strategy for future.
Indo-Pacific: Convergence of Indian and G7 Vision and Imperatives
The evolving G7 pattern and approach towards Indo-pacific and its treatment of India in their framework must be reaped by the latter to achieve its position and aspirations in the region. With new Indo-Pacific Division in its Ministry of External Affairs, India is focussed with visions in this crucial strategic region in a broader framework of maritime capacity building in terms of port development, connectivity and investments in consonance with its SAGAR (Security and Growth for All in the Region) Doctrine, Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative (IPOI), the ‘Mausam Project’ and vision of a leading Blue-Economy in the Indo-pacific. It aims at “help consolidate India’s vision of the Indo-Pacific across Government of India, in line with the elements set out by the Prime Minister of India in June and to provide sustentative policy elements and programmes to that vision.”16 Such an institutional structure is timely to coordinate and engage with all the actors with interests in the region for shared and sustainable stability of the region. The G7 assumes vital place of salience in India’s Indo-Pacific vision and imperatives.
The Summit has spurred India’s position
The invitation to India along with other three Indo-pacific region - Australia, South Africa and South Korea to the Summit is an endorsement of India’s proposition making the group more representative of the changing reality. The assertions and reiteration for multilateralism in the summit communique’ is an endorsement of India’s approach to deal with global and regional challenges.17 The Summit has provided opportunity to India to become part of strategy of the democratic powers to deal with the challenges in the Indo-Pacific and beyond and work in tandem with them for shared vision of future security and prosperity.
The G7 Summit has boosted the QUAD process and widened the horizon of QUAD-plus strategy. The Summit has been the effective forum interacts with other QUAD members along with the prospective QUAD-plus countries who shared the democratic values and will be essential to promote and work for rule-based order in the Indo-pacific. The specific mentioning of the Indo-pacific in the Summit Communique’ is in consonance with India’s vision in the region.
The pandemic strategy and vaccine diplomacy of the summit fits appropriately into India’s alignment of position with G7 members towards Indo-pacific region and China in particular. The summit has therefore embedded India in the shared vision and strategy of powers which is a profound boost to India’s position and power in the region and beyond.
The subsequent Biden-Putin summit at Geneva and a possible rapprochement or reduction of tension has been a great diplomatic relief to maintain its relation with Russia and its defence deal and cooperation. The summit has been constructive and pragmatic as the two leaders could sit face to face and explain their position, areas of possible cooperation.18 It is bound to spur India and facilitate a better coordination with US in the Indo-Pacific strategy.
The summit provided India to become the part of group of democracies, the idea of D10 which is in the making since late 2000s. The Cornwall G7 summit has showcased the idea with foremost solidarity so far and put into practice.19 These all are profound gains for India to pursue its vision and security in the region. In brief, India’s participation in the Cornwall Summit of G7, at Carbis Bay, UK (11th to 13th June, 2021) has been an important moment to engage with the group with paramount interests and concerns in the Indo-Pacific.
The Summit of the Quad leaders in September 2021 has spurred the shared commitments of the group on the global stage with their ambitious initiatives for mutual cooperation on 21st century challenges from ending of the pandemic to combating climate crisis, partnering on emerging technologies cybersecurity, promoting standard infrastructure and cultivating a stimulating ecosystem of talent pool of the Quad countries. This is a sure opportunity for India to reap the benefits of envisioned cooperation in these areas by enhancing its national capacity. The Build Back Better World, an infrastructure partnership was given a practical shape and boost with the launch of the Quad Infrastructure Coordination Group and Quad Shipping Taskforce and vision of resilient clean-energy supply chain.20 These development in the changing contemporary global scenario is an appropriate opportunity for spur its global image with proven performance.
The growing cooperation and increasing engagement of India has raised the global stature of India and its interests in other critical regions like West Asia. The meeting of the Foreign Ministers of India, Israel and UAE with US Secretary of States in October 2021 has ensured India a prominent place in the crucial West Asian region along with the regional powers like Israel and UAE and the US. They have emphasised the shared vision reiterating supports for the Abraham Accord and its spirits for bringing peace and stability in the region. Besides their shared commitments for expanding political and economic cooperation in the region through trade, combating climate change, energy cooperation and maritime security, they discussed about their future collaboration in the region and beyond.21 This is appropriately in line with India’s ‘Extended Neighbourhood’ Policy and global aspiration.
In his address to the Summit for Democracy Prime Minister Modi began with expressing his sense of pride being a leader of the largest democracy in the world and also enumerated India’s democratic tradition and ethos rooted in its deep past. He also reiterated India’s willingness to share its experiences of successful multiparty system and holding election in such vast and diverse country like India. He gave a call to the participating leaders to work together to meet the democratic aspirations of the people in the world and expressed India’s commitment and willingness for this noble endeavour.22 From Quad to the Summit for Democracy, India has been rising higher in the matrix of global power and leaders. The fourth meeting of Quad Foreign Ministers in Australia this reiterated their commitment for an open, inclusive, free and resilient Indo-pacific region and also reaffirmed for working with the regional partners in the region. These are very timely opportunity for India to assume a democratic and credible leadership role in this region which holds the future prosperity and power.23
This becomes more important given the fragmented, contested and fragile world we are living in the promising future of the Indo-pacific region runs the accentuated hazards of those contestation. Thus, the Quad framework and the shared commitment is the desired course for the stability of the region.24 Prime Minister Narendra Modi underlined that Quad commitment for peace and stability of the Indo-pacific region must remain focused. The island dispute in the region should be resolve by adhering international law and UN charter with requisite norms of respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity. Given the spiraling Ukraine crisis and its impending dangerous global implications the path of dialogue and diplomacy was emphasised to calm the crisis.25
The whole gamut of issues the Quad and its framework has been dealing from pandemic challenge to Climate change to geopolitical change; human rights, critical technology, alternative infrastructure network and promotion of rule-based order are the shared concern of India as well. Thus, a sustained engagement and coordination with the Quad seem to have attained desired trajectory in the coming years. This is immensely vital for India to become a pivotal factor of security and stability in the Indo-pacific region in the shared framework of the group.
References:
1 G7 Trade Ministers’ Communique’ 28th May 2021, https://www.g7uk.org/g7-trade-ministers-communique/
2 G7, United Kingdom, 2021: Build Back Better,https://www.g7uk.org/
3 The New Atlantic Charter, 10th June 2021, https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2021/06/10/the-new-atlantic-charter/
4 “Quad Leaders’ Joint Statement: “The Spirit of Quad”, 12th March, 2021, https://www.mea.gov.in/bilateral-documents.htm?dtl/33620/Quad+Leaders+Joint+Statement+The+Spirit+of+the+Quad
5 G7 Foreign and Development Ministers’ Meeting, May 2021: Communique’ 5th May, 2021, https://www.g7uk.org/g7-foreign-and-development-ministers-meeting-may-2021-communique/
6 G7 Climate and Environment: Ministers’ Communiqué - G7 UK Presidency 2021, https://www.g7uk.org/g7-climate-and-environment-ministers-communique/
7 G7 Foreign and Development Ministers’ Meeting, May 2021: Communique’ 5th May, 2021, https://www.g7uk.org/g7-foreign-and-development-ministers-meeting-may-2021-communique/
8 EU Strategy For Cooperation in the Indo-Pacific, https://eeas.europa.eu/sites/default/files/eu-indo-pacific_factsheet_2021-04_v.5.pdf
9 Joint Statement on India-EU Leaders’ Meeting, May 08, 2021https://mea.gov.in/bilateral-documents.htm?dtl/33853/Joint_Statement_on_IndiaEU_Leaders_Meeting_May_08_2021
10 France’s Partnerships in the Indo-Pacific, Ministry of Europe and Foreign affairs, Francehttps://www.diplomatie.gouv.fr/IMG/pdf/en_a4_indopacifique_16p_2021_v4_cle4b8b46.pdf
11 Indo-Pacific: Guidelines for strengthening Dutch and EU cooperation with Partners in Asiafile:///C:/Users/user/Downloads/Indo-Pacific+Guidelines+EN%20(3).pdf
12 Policy Guidelines for the Indo-Pacific region: Germany-Europe-Asia: shaping the 21st century together, The Federal Government, 20th September, 2020https://rangun.diplo.de/blob/2380824/a27b62057f2d2675ce2bbfc5be01099a/policy-guidelines-summary-data.pdf
13 Pre-Summit Press Conference by NATO Secretary General, Jens Stoltenberg, 11th June 2021 https://www.nato.int/cps/en/natohq/opinions_184908.htm
14 PM Participates in the first Outreach Session of G7 Summit, 12th June 2021https://www.pmindia.gov.in/en/news_updates/pm-participates-in-the-first-outreach-session-of-g7-summit/
15 CARBIS BAY G7 SUMMIT COMMUNIQUE’, 13th June, 2021https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2021/06/13/carbis-bay-g7-summit-communique/
16 Indo-Pacific Division Briefs****, Ministry of External Affairs, Government of Indiahttps://mea.gov.in/Portal/ForeignRelation/Indo_Feb_07_2020.pdf
17 TP Sreenivasan (2021) “Advantage India at G7 Summit”, 20th June 2021https://www.onmanorama.com/news/global-indian/2021/06/19/advantage-india-g7-summit.html
18 Kunal Gaurav (2021), “Kremlin is pleased with Putin-Biden Summit, hails pledge to never wage nuclear war”, 17th June, 2021,https://www.hindustantimes.com/world-news/kremlin-pleased-with-putin-biden-summit-hails-pledge-to-never-wage-nuclear-war-101623932947148.html
19 Michael Macarthur Bosack (2021) “Key Take Away from the G7 Summit” thejapantimes, 14th June, 2021, https://www.japantimes.co.jp/opinion/2021/06/14/commentary/world-commentary/key-takeaways-g7-summit/
20 Fact Sheet: Quad Leaders’ Summit, Prime Minister’s Office, PIB Delhi, 25th September 2021,https://pib.gov.in/PressReleaseIframePage.aspx?PRID=1757944
21 Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken’s Meeting with Emirati Foreign Minister, Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayaed, Indian Esternal Affairs Minister Dr Subramanyam Jaishankar and Israeli Foreign Minister Alternate Prime Minister YairLapid, Readout, Office of the Spokesperson, 18the October 2021,https://www.state.gov/secretary-of-state-antony-j-blinkens-meeting-with-emirati-foreign-minister-sheikh-abdullah-bin-zayed-indian-external-affairs-minister-dr-subrahmanyam-jaishankar-and-israeli-foreign-minis
22 National Statement by Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the Summit for Democracy, 10th December, 2021,https://mea.gov.in/Speeches-Statements.htm?dtl/34637/National+Statement+by+Prime+Minister+Narendra+Modi+at+the+Summit+ for+Democracy
23 Joint Statement by Foreign Ministers of Australia, India and Japan and the Secretary of State of the United States following the 4th Quad Foreign Ministers’ Meeting, 11th February 2022,https://www.mea.gov.in/bilateral-documents.htm?dtl/34854/Joint+statement+by+the+Foreign+Ministers+of+Australia+India+and+Japan+and+the+Secretary+of+State+of+the+United+States+following+the+4th+Quad+Foreign+Ministers+Meeting
24 Transcript-Remarks, Meeting with Quad Foreign Ministers, Melbourne, 11th February 2022,https://www.pm.gov.au/media/remarks-meeting-quad-foreign-ministers-melbourne-vic
25 Prime Minister participates in Virtual Summit of Quad Leaders, 3rd March, 2022,https://www.mea.gov.in/press-releases.htm?dtl/34927/Prime_Minister_participates_in_virtual_summit_of_Quad_leaders
