New Delhi: External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said that is confident that US President-elect Donald Trump would continue to support the Quad, given his earlier administration’s major role in strengthening the grouping. The Quad, comprising India, Australia, Japan and the US, has grown into a huge mechanism for international cooperation, Jaishankar stated at the India-Japan Forum.
The Quad was revitalised in 2017 during Trump’s first term and the US playing a key role in its evolution. Jaishankar said that it was under Trump’s leadership that the Quad shifted from a vice minister’s level meeting in 2017 to a foreign minister’s level in 2019, marking its second phase. “There is every reason to believe that the US will maintain its support, recognizing the success of the initiative,” he said.
Jaishankar counters Japan’s concerns
Jaishankar also addressed concerns regarding the narrative in Japan about India being a weak link in the Quad. He pointed out that similar criticisms had been made about Japan and Australia at various times. He said that the Quad’s growth reflects the broader trends of intergovernmental coordination and collaboration among its members, despite occasional differences.
Referring to Trump’s stance on burden-sharing among US allies, Jaishankar said that the Quad is based on mutual contributions, which counters the notion of unequal burdens. Trump, who secured a second term after a victory over Kamala Harris, will take office again in January.
India-China strained tied after 202 LAC
On India’s relationship with China, Jaishankar outlined how the 2020 standoff along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) strained ties, which had previously been stable, particularly in trade. Despite disengagement efforts, he said that challenges remain, with de-escalation yet to be fully achieved.
Jaishankar also mentioned potential areas of collaboration between India and Japan, particularly in semiconductors. Both countries are boosting their semiconductor industries, with India launching a semiconductor mission and Japan revitalising its sector. Together with Taiwan, they are positioning themselves to play a key role in reshaping the global semiconductor landscape.
