Quad – Lawmakers Debate Role in Indo-Pacific Strategy

Quad – Questions over the future direction of the Quad surfaced during a congressional hearing this week, as members of the US House of Representatives examined whether the four-nation partnership is receiving adequate attention within Washington’s broader Indo-Pacific strategy.

Concerns Over Strategic Visibility

At a House subcommittee hearing focused on South and Central Asia, Democratic Representative Sydney Kamlager-Dove raised concerns about the Quad’s limited mention in the 2025 National Security Strategy. She noted that the grouping appears only briefly in the document and urged officials to reinforce its importance in shaping regional policy.

Addressing Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs Paul Kapur, Kamlager-Dove emphasized that the alliance plays a significant strategic role in advancing US interests across the Indo-Pacific. She encouraged continued advocacy within the administration to ensure the platform remains central to long-term planning.

State Department Defends the Partnership

Kapur rejected suggestions that the administration is downplaying the Quad. He described it as a key diplomatic and strategic mechanism that enables cooperation among like-minded democracies. The grouping includes the United States, India, Japan, and Australia, and has steadily expanded its scope in recent years.

According to Kapur, the partnership regained momentum during the first Trump administration after a period of inactivity. Since its revival, he said, the four countries have deepened collaboration on shared regional priorities.

Balancing Influence in the Indo-Pacific

Kapur framed the Quad’s mission within a broader objective of maintaining balance in the Indo-Pacific. He clarified that US policy is not aimed at excluding China from the region but rather at preventing any single country from exerting overwhelming dominance or coercive influence.

Within this strategy, India holds particular significance. Kapur highlighted India’s active engagement in both bilateral discussions and multilateral Quad initiatives. He suggested that India’s ability to maintain strategic autonomy contributes to a more balanced regional order, especially across South Asia and the Indian Ocean.

Debate Over Assertiveness Toward Beijing

Republican Representative Keith Self questioned whether the Quad’s approach toward China is sufficiently firm. He asked whether member countries are assertive enough in addressing Beijing’s expanding military and economic footprint.

Kapur responded cautiously, avoiding language that might characterize the alliance as confrontational. Instead, he reiterated that the Quad’s strength lies in coordinated engagement among its members rather than overt aggression.

The exchange reflected broader differences in congressional expectations about how the United States and its partners should respond to China’s growing presence in the Indo-Pacific.

Bipartisan Support for Regional Strategy

Despite variations in tone, lawmakers from both parties expressed continued backing for the overarching Indo-Pacific strategy. Democratic Representative Ami Bera observed that strategic thinking about the region has remained consistent across Republican and Democratic administrations, underscoring bipartisan agreement on maintaining regional stability and preventing domination by any single power.

Kapur also pointed to early diplomatic outreach under the current administration as evidence of sustained commitment. He noted that one of Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s first international engagements after assuming office involved a Quad meeting, signaling the platform’s continued relevance.

Evolution of the Quad

Originally launched in 2007, the Quad fell dormant for nearly a decade before being reactivated in 2017. Since then, it has evolved into a central forum for coordination on maritime security, critical technologies, supply chain resilience, and disaster response.

As strategic competition in the Indo-Pacific intensifies, the role of the Quad remains a focal point of discussion in Washington. While debates continue over how prominently the partnership should feature in official strategy documents, administration officials maintain that it remains an essential element of US regional engagement.