China remains stunned by the continuous activeness of the Quad countries. The Quad countries include Australia, India, Japan and America. China is afraid that these four countries are preparing to counter it in the SCS. China has consistently referred to the Quad group as NATO and Asian NATO. China’s deputy foreign minister, Luo Zhaohui, once spoke to the media, describing the Quad as an “anti-China frontline” or “mini-NATO”. NATO is a military alliance, which includes 30 European and North American countries.
Indian Foreign Minister Subramaniam Jaishankar has responded to China’s continuous reference of the Quad group as a NATO group. Speaking to the media on September 11, Jaishankar said, “Quad countries have come together to cooperate for the benefit of themselves and the world.” A word like NATO is a Cold War term, a thing of history. Quad talks of the future. It reflects Globalization. Quad countries are working together on many other issues including education, coronavirus vaccine, supply chain, connectivity“.
He further said that “I do not see any connection of the Quad with NATO or any other group like that. It is therefore important not to misrepresent the realities”.
According to media reports, the next meeting of the Quad countries is going to be held in America on 24 September. Top leaders from Australia, Japan, India and America are going to participate in this meeting. In this meeting, talks are likely to be held mainly on Coronavirus, Afghanistan etc. Earlier, the four countries had participated in a virtual meeting in March 2021 in which talks were held regarding the coronavirus, climate change and security etc.
India is playing a bigger role in the Quad. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is trying to include more Asian countries, especially countries like Vietnam, Philipines, Singapore into the Quad to counter China and its aggressive encroachment policy in the South China Sea.
