How Quad FMs’ meeting shows its possibilities, limitations, shared interests & contradictions

Following the Quad’s meeting in Melbourne, in episode 939 of #CutTheClutter, Shekhar Gupta decodes the strategic importance of the four members of Quad and the differences they have with China. We also looks at the warming relations between Pakistan and Russia, its implications and what the Quad wants.
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[ThePrintIndia]

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[aviswetanandy]

About a year back Shekhar Sir wore the same t-shirt and with the same background recorded the National interest on Farm laws. It was a much loved episode coz we got to see Shekhar sir's pet dogs and they literally stole the show then😂😊 Get well soon to you n your ailing ones👍

[druspork]

You've pushed me to comment Shekhar, with a very rare "Cut the Clutter" that I don't agree with, in portion. BUT, you can judge a man by his relationship with his pet. And you, Shekhar, are a good man. I should mention I am Australian, not of Indian heritage before generic comments:

1. Not sure about India being the "switch off" to the Quad. For me that was Australian PM Rudd (after the tsunami), a Sinophile, wanting to support Aus-China relationships at that time. These days Rudd has concerns with China behaviour.
2. Under Trump, the reality of Indo-Pacific relations become very real. Leadership to the Quad came NOT from the US. I could argue Australia led a resurgence, India can argue with territorial transgressions they led a resurgence, Japan can also claim a need for change. Which ever way, the renewed importance of Quade came NOT from the US, but from us. We three. Not the "Quad". US has been playing catch-up but interrupted by Russia.
3. India's relationship with Russia is vexed. It will necessarily lead to reticence from the US. In the Indo-Pacific however, I'm not sure it's a big issue. Nor will Russia be very focused on India with the European situation. India, to it's credit, has stood by/with Russia for decades. But going forward I suspect will gradually de-Russia their military machine. Irrespective of the US or anywhere else. I think I've seen you, Shekhar, pretty much say this.
4. The recent meeting in Australia, seriously needed a message from the three/Quad to the US to say, "OK, you're having your fun in Ukraine, but the real game is here DO NOT be distracted." If that message was delivered, it certainly was not made public. To be honest, I had hoped that at least Jaishanka would not allow Blinken off that hook. Did it happen? No idea.

My assessment is, the USA re no longer leading in the Indo-Pacific And for now they are distracted. The lead is India, Japan, Australia, and the US be damned. No that is too much, but at least the trio keep the real world of the Indo-Pacific pushing forward and don't wait for Uncle Sam to catch up. We are NOT underwhelming as a group in the absence of the US. Surely we are a significant powerhouse WITH the US, but we must lead. With or without the US.

In trade, India has just now made some HUGE openings for Australia. Wow. Massive support to Aus. Thanks. And I really hope it was reciprocal.

All the very best India.

[conodeen]

Cleo was the star of the show. Glad to hear he’s feeling better. Hope your kid/grandkid gets well soon as well.

[libshastra]

"In summary, India shares some common interests with the other three Quad countries but is less able to withstand the costs that could be directed its way if it became a more active partner. This is due to internal weakness, proximate adversaries, the lack of an external alliance partner and a strategic culture which precludes the formation of formal alliances."

Internal weakness. Unless our economy grows, our strategics aims will always remain unfulfilled.

Also Quad should help build capacity of it's members. The one thing that kept NATO strong was strong state capacity of it's member. The Marshall plan helped build that State capacity that acted as a force multiplier of NATO in the 60s and 70s. Unfortunately, we don't have a luxury of decades to build capacity.

[harshb]

China is just amazing in pressure tactics. It has nuclear north Korea nuclear pakistan and nuclear Russia to balance india usa japan South Korea. It also has Iran Syria as allies to balance Saudis and UAE. It has support of the entire African continent through trade. I wish one day india also has such influence. But today india can't even influence Nepal Bhutan or Sri Lanka much.

[blackbumble]

The Indians know how to fight among themselves better than anything else

[jaydeepgadhavi]

As far as the last common interest among the Quad members stated in the paper is concerned, I think differences over Myanmar tells the tale, and this has nothing to do with internal politics in India

[ashishpandya]

Thank you for coming back.you were missed on Saturday . Hope all well in your family. God bless your frankness .

[vruschik]

Speedy recovery to the person in your family. You look dapper Sekhar.

[KtnM]

Speedy recovery to the person in your family. From Ascot Caps to Tweed coats, there is a certain individuality to Shekharji's style.

[chandymohapatra]

Interesting ! Wish you & your family good health Shekhar Ji

[vjoshi]

Thank you sir. Hope your child in the family makes swift recovery!

[Mjjjyyy]

Nice episode. GuptaJi please bring off the cuff back. It is much needed.

[SkSingh-tuun]

A excellent analysis..the opening line by Loveena Lee and the final summing up by Mr Shekhar Gupta say it all. However for the first time we see a European country playing second fiddle to a Asian country. Probably the EU should have encouraged Russia to join Europe after the break up of the Soviet Union.It would have saved a lot of trouble now

[MegaArnab]

Like the mustard field in the background !

[YouTubeofnaveenvyas]

I like location to shoot this cut the clutter episode, it’s more calm and pristine. Will appreciate if you shoot more episodes here whenever you get a chance

[kanthavelkv]

The ultimate goal of Bharat should be rapid economic growth with a target of 8-10 trillion dollar GDP by 2030.
Bharat's foreign policy & alignment should be in tune with this agenda.

[tapemaj]

I am apprehensive about the newly formed AUKUS … Will it out shadow Quad in the longer run ?
Although Quad is merely a talking shop as you correctly mentioned. .
Regarding Russo- Ukraine conflict currently stock markets across the globe are in turbulence unless Russia backs out .

[amartyaray]

Beautifully done. So much insights! Shekhar Ji's commentry is worth 3x the current subscription fees; which is a boon & a bane for an organisation.
PS: I'm still reading Naushad Forbes's book!