Critical bilateral security architectures between India and the US are losing steam, according to a key US senator, amid rising frictions that hamper Indo-Pacific trust. In a revealing IANS interview, Mark Warner, head of the Senate Intelligence Committee, dissected how post-Trump re-election politics have dimmed focus on Quad and 2+2 dialogues.
Sustained political will is the lifeblood of these initiatives, Warner asserted, chiding the administration’s oversight. ‘Quad and 2+2 are foundational for building confidence—they take time, resources, and even modest outcomes count,’ he elaborated, pointing to high-level Quad consultations with India, Japan, Australia, and the US.
He tied the lag to profound tensions, noting that while Quad military ties strengthen visibly, US unreliability perceptions are mounting. ‘It’s disturbing when partners see China as the surer bet—and if India feels that way, it’s a crisis,’ Warner confided.
This malaise impacts global alliances; alienating friends erodes faith. Warner pushed for relentless engagement via established forums to counter China’s sway, ensuring stability, secure chains, and security.
Strategically, India relies on accelerated Quad and 2+2 for power balance, autonomy preservation, and deepened partner defenses. The senator’s forthright views spotlight the imperative for course correction in these vital ties.