Quad Puts China In A Quandary: India's Strategic Role & Indo-Pacific Focus

• External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar clarified that the Quad summit was never cancelled, nor specifically scheduled, at the Munich Security Conference 2026.
• The Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (Quad), established in 2007 and resurrected in 2017, aims to ensure a free, open, and inclusive Indo-Pacific region.
• While disaster relief was an initial focus, the Quad's underlying objective is to counter China's influence and expansion in Asia, viewed with deep suspicion by all four member nations.
• The forum focuses on maintaining a rules-based order, enhancing maritime security, and promoting economic, technological, and health cooperation.
• India faces the unique challenge of managing two hostile neighbors, China and Pakistan, with Quad potentially easing tensions and curbing Chinese incursions.