WEBDESK: If India cannot secure its own borders or respond effectively to much smaller neighbours, what exactly qualifies it to be taken seriously as a cornerstone of any Indo-Pacific strategy? Yet, the Quad has chosen to overlook this glaring reality by launching its so-called “Quad at Sea Ship Observer Mission” a maritime initiative more concerned with hollow optics than any credible security outcomes in the Indo-Pacific.
The mission, launched under the 2024 Wilmington Declaration, has sent officers from the four nations aboard the US Coast Guard Cutter Stratton, now sailing toward Guam. Official statements claim the mission will enhance interoperability, domain awareness, and maritime safety at a time when China is rapidly expanding its naval presence.
However, this much publicised venture raises serious concerns about the Quad’s judgment, particularly regarding the inclusion of India in a grouping that ostensibly seeks to counterbalance Beijing’s growing influence. One must question the wisdom of relying on a country that has repeatedly demonstrated its inability to even defend its own territory, let alone project credible maritime power.
Indo-Pacific Security at Risk as Quad Miscalculates India’s Capabilities
India’s recent military track record speaks for itself. Precision Pakistani strikes have successfully exposed glaring vulnerabilities in India’s air defence networks, leading to the loss of fighter jets and the humiliation of its armed forces. If a state struggles to secure its own borders against a far smaller, neighbouring rival, what possible justification is there for treating it as a serious player in Indo-Pacific security affairs?
The Quad should be well advised to seriously reconsider this misplaced reliance. Propping up India as a counterweight to China is not only an exercise in strategic delusion but a potential liability for the entire alliance. As Beijing continues to strengthen its naval footprint across the region, the last thing the Indo Pacific needs is a weak link masquerading as a reliable partner.
Unless the Quad wishes to see its carefully constructed narrative unravel during a real crisis, it would be prudent for its other members to disentangle themselves from the illusion of India’s military competence. The current arrangement risks undermining the credibility of any regional security initiative before it even faces its first serious test.
