INDIA SHARES ITS VISION FOR INDOPACIFIC WITH CHINA

BEIJING:INDIA on Friday explained its vision for the Indo-pacific to China at a bilateral maritime dialogue in Beijing amid a new warming in ties and questions about the future of the “Quad”, of which India is a member with the US, Australia and Japan.

New Delhi’s strategy for the Indo-pacific, a term coined by the US to reflect India’s larger role in the region, came up during the second India-china Maritime Affairs Dialogue. China has kept a wary eye on all developments related to the Indo-pacific and the Quadrilateral Alliance.

“The two sides exchanged views on various topics of mutual interest, including perspectives on maritime security and cooperation, blue economy, and further strengthening of practical cooperation,” said a statement from the Indian embassy.

“The Indian side also elaborated on India’s vision for the Indo-pacificregionasarticulated in Prime Minister (Narendra) Modi’s keynote address at this year’s Shangri-la Dialogue in Singapore,” it added.

Modi said at the security meet last month that India “does not see the Indo-pacific region as a strategy or as a club of limited members” or “a grouping that seeks to dominate”.

“And by no means do we consider it as directed against any country,” Modi had said, indicating that the Quad will not be the sole custodian of the Indo-pacific.

The India-china maritime dialogue also covered other aspects of maritime ties.

“Both sides underlined the importance of this dialogue as an important mechanism between the two countries for consultations on maritime issues. They emphasised the need to further strengthen maritime cooperation as an important area of Indiachina bilateral relations, and as a platform to strengthen political and strategic mutual trust between the two countries,” the Indian embassy’s statement said.

THE QUAD IS AN INFORMAL MECHANISM OF INDIA, THE U.S., AUSTRALIA AND JAPAN, OFTEN INTERPRETED AS A JOINT EFFORT TO COUNTER CHINA IN THE ASIAPACIFIC.