Quad To Become A Bigger Factor Beyond Regional Politics, Says Jaishankar

During a fireside chat with Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong at the Indian Ocean Conference, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar expressed confidence in the increasing significance of the Quad grouping, comprising India, the US, Japan, and Australia.

As reported by Economic Times, Jaishankar emphasised the Quad's strategic importance, and attributed its formation to the shifting capabilities of major powers and the resultant implications on global dynamics.

He noted the transformative relationships between India, Australia, the US, and Japan post the Cold War era.

"I am sort of pretty confidently predict that the relevance of the Quad would grow and it would become a bigger factor in the larger regional and beyond the region politics and policy," Jaishankar added.

In discussions about bilateral ties with Australia, Jaishankar identified untapped potential for further collaboration, particularly in the economic and business domains.

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Expressing optimism about the future of India-Australia relations, he highlighted the significant progress achieved in bilateral cooperation over the past decade.

During his visit to Sailani Avenue in Perth, named after Indian-origin soldier Nain Singh Sailani, Jaishankar paid homage to the contributions of Indian veterans.

Jaishankar also spoke about India's partnership with Indian Ocean countries.

"You are going to see an India which will be much more deeply engaged in and much more deeply invested in the Indian Ocean...Our goal should be how to make the Indian Ocean more connected, more seamless and more penetrative than it is today as it has been in the past," he said.

QUAD

The Quadrilateral Security Dialogue, commonly referred to as the Quad, is a strategic forum comprising India, the United States, Japan, and Australia.

Established in 2017, the Quad aims to address shared security challenges in the Indo-Pacific region, particularly countering China's growing assertiveness.

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