https://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory/top-us-diplomat-india-calls-china-elephant-room-73570392
India and the US team up along with Japan and Australia in order to combat China’s ever growing presence across the Indo-Pacific region. Deputy Secretary of State Stephen Biegun made a three day trip to India and attended the opening day of the India-US forum; while Japan and Australia had meetings in Tokyo. During this, Biegun called China the “elephant in the room”, while discussing the Quad. The Quad being a collection of four Indo-Pacific nations, created to oppose China’s military displays across multiple locations. U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo reaffirms the need for the Quad, stating that the assertive actions from the Chinese make this a critical time to protect the region from corruption and humanitarian crises. Biegun’s visit follows a military tension over undisputed land in between India and China. Though China says concern for their military is unfounded, Washington has begun sharing intelligence and giving military equipment to India. I believe that these meetings and the creation of the Quad is a very positive global step; with Chinese presence looming, it is very important to have measures in place to combat their military and global influence. Though specific strategic plans have not been discussed, the creation of a military IGO of sorts is a step in the right direction for maintaining sovereignty in the region and hopefully preventing major military conflict. I also believe that this is a beneficial step for India-U.S. relations; with India’s desire to remain mostly autonomous, the Quad is a non-binding stepping stone to increased international relations between the two countries. However, there is backlash from China to consider, while I believe this a positive step on the whole, it may be grounds to aggravate China in turn increasing their aggression throughout the South and East China Seas, the Taiwan Strait, and the northern border of India. I believe it is crucial to expect China to respond negatively to the Quad and their preventive measures against Chinese expansion.