On October 5, 2024, President Joe Biden hosted the fourth QUAD summit in Wilmington, Delaware, where leaders from India, Japan, and Australia emphasized their commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific. This summit comes at a time when India finds itself in a complex position, being a member of both the QUAD and BRICS alliances, which raises questions about its strategic ambiguity [e7cc7c6b].
The QUAD, initiated in 2007 by former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, aims to counter China's influence in the region through enhanced security cooperation among its members. In contrast, BRICS, which includes Brazil, Russia, China, and South Africa, is perceived as an anti-US bloc focused on economic integration. The recent expansion of BRICS in January 2024 to include Iran, UAE, Egypt, and Ethiopia further complicates the geopolitical landscape [e7cc7c6b].
India's shift from a non-alignment policy to a multi-alignment approach reflects its attempt to balance its interests between these two alliances. While QUAD focuses on security concerns, particularly regarding China's assertiveness, BRICS presents an alternative platform that could challenge US economic dominance [e7cc7c6b].
The dual membership of India in both alliances complicates its diplomatic stance, as it seeks to navigate the differing objectives of QUAD and BRICS. This strategic balancing act could significantly impact global power dynamics, especially as the success of either alliance may influence India's future foreign policy decisions [e7cc7c6b].
As the QUAD leaders continue to address security issues in the Indo-Pacific, India's role will be crucial in shaping the alliance's effectiveness against China while also managing its relationships within BRICS. The evolving geopolitical landscape necessitates a careful approach from India to maintain its strategic interests without alienating either bloc [1f08469b].