QUAD and Lack of US Interest in it
Biden Administration due to war in Ukraine has lost interest in QUAD for Asia. Truthfully, it would have been ideal setup to stop Chinese from grabbing Taiwan and all of China sea and its resources. If that came true then it would have rendered defence of east Asia including Japan, South Korea and other smaller nations, impossible.
There are only two things which go against this Chinese ambition. They, although boast a lot, but with copied and reverse engineered technology, their military other than intimidation cannot mount any military operations outside of their borders and second point that with renewed American interest in building of East Asia defences, including Philippines makes it impossible for Chinese to invade anything.
With new geopolitical situation now shaping up with Russia and China getting friendly to refocus everybody’s interests in Asia. If not tomorrow, then a bit later Chinese will grab some of the missing Russian military technology and modernize their armed forces better. Also with Russian support, Chinese would be emboldened.
For the above reasons, the West (mostly NATO countries) are making a beeline to India to acquire, if not full, but associate membership of NATO. No formal conversations have taken place with India, Japan and Australia, but an important NATO official recently threw a hint for that. It will have dual purpose; first it pulls India out of Russian military technology fold and second safeguard India from Chinese invasion. Although Himalayas protect India very well but clever Chinese salami slicing is always a headache. Also, threat of Pakistani and Chinese move in Indian Ocean will be thwarted.
I believe that further discussions are essential to probe the West’s mind. Moreover, does the deal includes Permanent Membership of the UN Security Council. That need to be probed.
Cheers.