Here's Why India Postpones Quad Summit Meeting Amid Strained Relations
Here's Why India Postpones Quad Summit Meeting  Amid Strained Relations
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The  QUAD summit that was scheduled to be taken place in India in January given Republic day, has been postponed, the source said. 

India has made the decision to postpone the highly anticipated Quad summit meeting initially slated for January 2024, citing scheduling conflicts among certain Quad partners. This summit, which brings together India, Australia, the US, and Japan, aims to bolster regional cooperation and strategic collaboration.

Issues Surrounding Leadership Attendance:  The expected participation of US President Joe Biden as the chief guest for India's Republic Day celebrations has been thrown into uncertainty due to the rescheduling of the Quad Summit. Efforts are underway to identify new dates for the summit later in 2024, accommodating the conflicting schedules of all Quad partners.

Strains in India-US Relations:  Recent tensions have emerged between India and the US following allegations by the US Justice Department. These allegations involve two Indian nationals, one of whom is purportedly an intelligence official, accused of plotting the murder of Khalistani separatist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, a US citizen. India has responded by initiating a high-level inquiry committee to investigate these serious claims.

Echoes of Previous Allegations from Canada: The assertions made by the US Justice Department mirror earlier accusations leveled by Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. Canada had alleged Indian involvement in the assassination of Khalistani leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar. India swiftly dismissed these allegations as baseless and unfounded.

Past Invitations and Uncertain Participation
In September of the preceding year, US Ambassador to India Eric Garcetti disclosed that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had extended an invitation to President Biden to be the chief guest for India’s Republic Day celebrations on January 26, 2024. However, the confirmation of Biden’s attendance remained pending due to logistical challenges.

Challenges of Synchronized Celebrations: Adding complexity to the situation, Australia's National Day coincides with India's Republic Day on January 26. This overlapping schedule presents a potential hurdle for Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese's attendance at the rescheduled summit.

Quad's Objectives and Countering China's Influence: The Quad, comprised of Australia, India, Japan, and the US, is a diplomatic alliance aimed at nurturing an open, stable, and prosperous Indo-Pacific region. Beyond its cooperative aspirations, the Quad is also perceived as a strategic mechanism employed by these nations to counter the escalating influence of China in the Indo-Pacific arena.

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