US and India: More Than Just QUAD, Says Margaret MacLeod
The US State Department’s Hindustani spokesperson, Margaret MacLeod, emphasized that the relationship between the US and India extends beyond the QUAD security bloc. In an interview, she stated, “I think the relationship between India and America is bigger than QUAD. QUAD is just a minilateral, which focuses on a particular region but when we talk about the bilateral ties between India and the United States, we are working on critical emerging technologies, we are engaged in Exercise Malabar, we are working on people-to-people ties, we are investing in the education sector, all this is strengthening our ties.”
MacLeod highlighted the strong people-to-people connection and the role of the Indian diaspora in the US. She also discussed the importance of Open RAN (Radio Access Networks) technology, noting its reliability and cost-effectiveness, which presents a great opportunity for the Indian technology industry.
The Quad Foreign Ministers’ meeting in Tokyo recognized the transformative power of critical and emerging technologies to support sustainable development in the Indo-Pacific. The joint statement emphasized the development of a trusted, secure, and robust telecommunications network, promoting supplier diversification and Open RAN projects.
MacLeod shared the history of the QUAD, stating that it was established after the 2004 Indian Ocean Tsunami to coordinate humanitarian assistance and disaster relief. She mentioned the Quad COVID-19 vaccine partnership as one of the bloc’s significant achievements in the last decade.
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, along with Foreign Ministers of Japan, Australia, and the US, participated in the Quad Foreign Ministers’ meeting. They reaffirmed their commitment to preserving and strengthening the international order for the global good. Jaishankar noted that the Quad is a platform that generates practical outcomes, such as the Indo-Pacific Maritime Domain Awareness initiative and off-grid solar projects in the Indo-Pacific islands.
The Quad is a diplomatic partnership between Australia, India, Japan, and the United States, committed to supporting an open, stable, and prosperous Indo-Pacific that is inclusive and resilient.
Doubts Revealed
QUAD -: QUAD is a group of four countries: the US, India, Japan, and Australia. They work together on security and other important issues in the Indo-Pacific region.
Margaret MacLeod -: Margaret MacLeod is a spokesperson for the US State Department who speaks in Hindustani, a language spoken in India.
US State Department -: The US State Department is a part of the US government that handles the country’s relationships with other countries.
Open RAN technology -: Open RAN technology is a new way to build mobile networks that allows different companies to work together more easily.
Indian diaspora -: The Indian diaspora refers to people of Indian origin who live outside India. They help build strong connections between India and other countries.
Indo-Pacific region -: The Indo-Pacific region includes countries around the Indian Ocean and the Pacific Ocean. It is important for trade and security.
