Prime Minister Modi’s Roadmap for QUAD Grouping Ahead of ASEAN Summit

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is gearing up to outline the future roadmap for the QUAD grouping ahead of the ASEAN summit in Vientiane next month. The focus will be on resolute supply chains, critical infrastructure, maritime domain awareness, and cybersecurity.

The upcoming QUAD summit on September 21 in Wilmington, Delaware poses a challenge for leaders to keep their attention on the Indo-Pacific region and the PLA Navy’s aggression, rather than being distracted by other global conflicts. Prime Minister Modi, along with US President Joe Biden, Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, and Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, will be attending the summit in person.

Bilateral conversations between PM Modi and the other leaders are in progress, with a focus on cybersecurity and protecting critical infrastructure from cyberattacks. The recent aggression by China against the Philippines and Iran-backed Houthi missile attacks on international shipping have heightened tensions in the Indo-Pacific region.

India, with its two carrier task force Navy, plays a crucial role in enforcing international law in the Indo-Pacific. The QUAD countries have already decided to implement HawkEye 360 software for maritime domain awareness in the region.

Despite China’s concerns about the QUAD challenging its rise, the grouping aims to provide global stability and cooperation among the four major powers. India’s role as a first responder in the region during natural disasters and the Covid-19 pandemic highlights its commitment to regional cooperation and stability.

As Prime Minister Modi prepares to outline the next steps for the QUAD grouping, the focus remains on enhancing security and cooperation in the Indo-Pacific region. The upcoming ASEAN summit will provide a platform for leaders to discuss and strategize on key issues affecting the region.