ABSTRACT
The “Quad Plus” marks a key development in the evolution of the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (Quad), comprising India, Japan, Australia and the US. In New Delhi’s strategic thinking, the expanded “Quad Plus” framework emerges as a conjectural alliance built on democratic values and a shared commitment to a free, open, rules-based, inclusive and multipolar regional order. Further, in recent years, India’s foreign policy has shifted from multialignment to a pointed alignment approach, wherein it has sought to deepen ties with specific, key partner states. This chapter seeks to understand New Delhi’s perspective of the abstract “Quad Plus” mechanism, by situating it within India’s pointed alignment strategy under which it has displayed increased interest in a closer alignment with a concentrated power arrangement in the Indo-Pacific. The chapter further draws India’s approach to the “Quad Plus” on its power-partner contention with China, to argue that the platform comes as part of New Delhi’s attempt to enhance India’s identity as an Asian power.
