The Quad leaders summit, which was held in Tokyo today, set the stage for a free & open Indo-Pacific and increased cooperation. PM Modi held bilateral meeting with the newly-elected Australian PM on the sidelines of the summit. As the momentum around the Indo-Charter builds, NewsX organised a special telecast with top foreign policy analysts from Australia to decode the geo-strategic developments and how they impact India-Australia ties.
Lisa Singh, CEO, of Australia India Institute, said, “In terms of Quad and AUKUS, I do think both are incredibly important to Australia as each has their own functions. Australian PM Albanese has made it clear that he is committed to both of those.”
He added, “Australian PM Albanese has shown his commitment not only to the Quad but to a free and open Indo Pacific, by turning up two days after election.”
Dr Bryce Wakefield, National Executive Director, Australia Institute Of International Affairs, said, “What the critics of IPEF have been saying is that it is an American attempt to apply a lot of regulations to Southeast Asian nations, which may be suited to their political economies.”
He added, “There was considerable skepticism around India’s stance on Ukraine at the time. It was around the world. There were people who were quite critical. However, the focus of the Quad is on Indo-pacific. Ukraine is seen as an irritant. It doesn’t stop the good work of the Quad”
Dr Teesta Prakash, Research Associate, Lowy Associate, expressed, “We need to ask ourselves why Quad is focusing so much on non-traditional security. It is because it needs the whole region to buy into the Quad.”
Natasha Jha Bhaskar, General Manager, Newland Global Group said, ” It is not really the optics but the commitment of the new Australian PM to make it a point to take over his role and go for the Quad summit.”
She further emphasied, “One of the most important things coming out is the Asia engagement story. There is a clear recognition that Asia is not just the factory of the world but is emerging as new marketplace of the world”.
