Since its revival in 2017, QUAD, i.e., Quadrilateral Security Dialogue has ushered in a new conversation among the Indo-Pacific states. China’s assertiveness in the region has not gone unchallenged, and multiple actors have become more vocal and decisive against Beijing’s disregard of international order and the rule of law. In this issue, contributing authors indulged in discussing the importance of India as a QUAD member and how the grouping should have a consensus about Taiwan Question. Indian policymakers are encouraged to shed their reluctance and develop their 'unique' approach to make security cooperation with Taiwan a reality.
Perceptions of Xi’s China
Along side the COVID-19 outbreak last year, Xi’s China remained a major source of concern for its neighbors on both side; i.e. India and Taiwan. On one hand, India faced illegal Chinese intrusion along the western sector of disputed Line of Control, while on other, Taiwan witnessed the highest number of airspace intrusion since its democratic transition. Focused on these increased aggressive posturing of China around its neighborhood, this issue attempts to reflect on the changing perception of China under Xi’s leadership.
Quad: Are there Common Interests between India and Taiwan?
With the rise of aggressive China, the indo-pacific region has taken a central stage in the security posturing of regional and global powers. In this context, the reinvigoration of Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (QUAD) mechanism, an informal consultative platform comprising Australia, India, Japan and the United States, has drawn major attention. In this CSSAME issue, both the scholars debate the less-talked about role of Taiwan in relation to Quad’s aims and mechanisms. Taiwan is analyzed as a vital piece to the successful progression of both traditional and non-traditional security ambitions of Quad nations. Though there is a hesitation in predicting a real time participation of Taiwan in the mechanism itself in near future, both the authors agree on the shared normative interest of the four nations and democratic Taiwan in ensuring ‘free and open Indo-pacific’. The issue also points out that any active engagement of Taiwan with QUAD mechanism immensely depends on its bilateral relations with India and India’s eagerness to reinvent and repurpose its Taiwan approach.
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