ABSTRACT
China’s rapid rise as an economic and military power has created insecurity in the minds of its neighbours. Its aggressive handling of outstanding issues in its favour creates further unease. China’s forays in Eastern Ladakh in the COVID-19 period are viewed as violating India’s trust in the number of initiatives taken to build a partnership with China. Similarly, China has made aggressive moves in the South China Sea too. As the world grappled with COVID-19, numerous positive statements emanated from the various US leaders, including those that favoured India’s position in the Sino-India stand-off at Eastern Ladakh as well as those that relate to bringing in peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region. The Indo-US collaboration is perceived to move beyond defence cooperation and it is here that the quadrilateral could be taken forward towards undertaking extensive interoperability cooperative exercises and developing infrastructural facilities. India has also improved its ties with ASEAN in its Act East policy. It is now at a crucial juncture, where cooperation could be expanded in different areas, including defence. ASEAN-India Connectivity Summit (AICS) that links digital and physical connectivity between South Asia and Southeast Asia could also act as a link to build partnerships.
