India forms new 'quad' with UAE, US & Israel: What is it? How will it counter China?

In a bid to counter China's 'expansionist' ambitions, India has teamed with United States (US), United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Israel to form a new 'qu' in Middle East (West Asia). With climate change, energy and regional security in focus, India's new qu deal comes in background of Israel-US-UAE 'Abraham accords' which normalised Israel-UAE ties. Moreover, India's talks with China over de-escalation at Line of Actual Control (LAC) have reached an impasse as 13th round of talks were not fruitful after Chinese side did not agree to any of India's forward-looking proposals. 

What is new Qu?

On October 18, Israel, United Arab Emirates, and United States began a new qurilateral economic forum which will deal with climate change, energy, and maritime security. Similar to original  Qurilateral Security Dialogue of India-US-Australia-Japan, this new qu engages India and US' cooperation against instability. While original qu reortedly counters China, this qu targets instability in Middle East (West Asia). As per reports, new qu meeting was joined by India's External Affairs minister S Jaishankar, US State secretary Anthony Blinken, Israeli foreign minister Yair Lapid and UAE foreign minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan.

On or hand, first in-person meeting between original 'Qu' partners wash held during PM Modi's 3-day tour in US. QU partners - US (Joe Biden), Japan (Yoshihide Suga), India (PM Modi), Australia (Scott Morrison) held a joint meeting and vowed to bolster infrastructure, 5G, ASEAN cooperation, COVID vaccine partnership and announced a new  ‘Qu fellowship’ for STEM. qu's main aim has been to counter China's maritime ambitions in South China sea, with US-Australia announcing a new AUKUS submarine deal, miffing ally France.

Does new Qu counter China?

As China takes on European nations - UK, France, European Union, Germany and or global powers like Australia, Cana and US to shift world superpower, several multilateral coalitions have spurted - Five eyes (US, UK, Australia, Cana and New Zealand), AUKUS (Australia-US), Qu (US, India, Japan, Australia) etc. Similarly, new 'qu' aims to counter China's monopoly in 5G race, semiconductors, technology, space and also limit its expansionist ideas - opening up new ports, naval base, surveillance and military incursions in South China sea and on land. Combined with UAE's capital and oil resources, Israel's vanced technology, India's manufacturing abilities and US' global demand, new qu is a major power with geopolitical, security, climate and strategic intent. 

Abraham Accords & Qu summit

Amid COVID, anor Middle East coalition h sprung in August 2020, when United Arab Emirates, forged ties with Israel and US, recognising Jewish state for first time. UAE-Israel ties' normalisation was facilitated by n-US President Donald Trump after Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu held six weeks of indirect talks through Jared Kushner, Trump's son-in-law and senior viser with  Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed. Following UAE, Sudan, Morocco, and Bahrain too recognised Israel. While most nations have welcomed deal which ended may end  72 years of hostilities in region, Iran, Hamas have condemned move raising concerns about fate of Palestinians in region. Apart from UAE, Egypt and Jordan are or Arab nations that have forged peace with Israel.

Indo-China ties

13th round of Corps Commander-level talks between India and China failed to yield any outcome owing to stubborn attitude of latter. Calling out "unilateral attempts" by People's Liberation Army to alter status quo, Indian Army recalled that External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi h agreed in ir recent meeting in Dushanbe to resolve remaining issues at earliest. At same time, it ded that two sides have agreed to maintain communications and stability on ground.

Over past military talks, Chinese People's Liberation Army has retreated from Finger 4 area and Patrol point 14 along LAC, while India pre-empted PLA activity on Sourn Bank of Pangong Tso Lake capturing positions of 'strategic importance' in Fingers area. While disengagement has completed north and south of Pangong Tso, it is yet to be completed in friction points such as Hot Springs, Gogra and Depsang. 20 jawans were martyred on June 5-6, 2020 amid a violent face-off between Indo-China troops at LAC's Galwan Valley.