India's role in the Quad was highlighted on Saturday by US Ambassador Eric Garcetti, stating that India is in the "driver's seat" of the diplomatic partnership. He used a unique analogy of members "eating, drinking, and sharing a ride together" to illustrate the distinct roles within the Quad.
Speaking at the Jaipur Literature Festival, Garcetti emphasized that while the U.S. is in the seat next to India with the "corrective steering wheel," it is India's responsibility to "forcefully define" the nature of the Quad. The Quad comprises diplomatic ties between India, the U.S., Australia, and Japan, aiming to deepen economic, diplomatic, and military cooperation.
"India is very much in the driver seat of the Quad... may be America is in the next seat with the corrective steering wheel, I think Japan has been an avid navigator from the beginning and Australia is really excited to be back in the car and asking if everybody has enough to drink and eat, and where we are going.
"So it is a great time and we love these different roles. I want to sit in the back some other time and relax, but it is in some ways up to India to most forcefully define what we want to do with the Quad," said Garcetti.
Garcetti sees the Quad as a potential "model for the world," emphasizing its strength and stability, surpassing multilateral institutions like the UN, which he claimed lack efficacy. He described bilateral engagements as sometimes becoming monotonous, comparing them to a dinner party that becomes more interesting with additional participants.
Acknowledging differences among Quad members, Garcetti insisted it is not merely a "talk shop," citing collaborative efforts in semiconductors, artificial intelligence, and space projects. He highlighted tangible progress in areas like domain awareness in the Indian Ocean and robust space projects.
Former Australian PM Malcolm Turnbull, also part of the discussion, urged focusing on the Quad's progress since its 2007 inception rather than expecting an immediate "whole strategic alliance." He referred to the Quad as having "same bed, different dreams," emphasizing shared commitments to freedom, sovereignty, and democratic openness.
The Quad, reinstated in 2017 after a 10-year hiatus due to China's protests, brings together countries committed to defending freedom amidst China's assertiveness. The discussion included insights from Australian Ambassador Philip Green and former foreign secretary Shyam Saran.
The Jaipur Literature Festival, considered the "biggest literary festival in the world" for 2024, features global thinkers, writers, and speakers until February 5th.
