The Quad has renewed its emphasis on a free and open Indo-Pacific, signaling a shared concern over rising Chinese assertiveness in the region. The grouping’s message highlights the importance of stability, open sea lanes and respect for established rules as tensions continue to shape regional diplomacy.
India’s approach stood out in Manila, where its policy of multi-alignment and strategic autonomy was on display. New Delhi appeared to balance its participation in the Quad with continued diplomatic engagement, underlining its preference for maintaining multiple channels of communication even amid strategic competition.
External affairs minister S Jaishankar’s meetings in Manila reflected that broader posture. India has increasingly sought to protect its national interests by working with major partners on security and regional issues while also keeping space for direct dialogue with Beijing.
The developments point to a larger geopolitical trend in the Indo-Pacific, where countries are trying to strengthen cooperation without closing off diplomacy. For India and the Quad, the focus remains on preserving a rules-based regional order while responding carefully to growing pressure from China.
