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Is Trump’s absence at Quad summit in India a sign of ‘fragile’ US-led alliances?
Trump’s plan to skip the India meet may underscore the limits of a grouping that relies heavily on US commitment, analysts say
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The anticipated absence of US President Donald Trump from this year’s Quad summit in India is likely to “highlight cracks” in American-led alliances and raise fresh concerns over Washington’s dependability, according to analysts.
While observers say the United States is unlikely to abandon the Quad altogether, they suggest its engagement may fall short of the intensity seen under the previous administration – at a time when regional anxieties over China’s assertiveness remain high.
Citing unnamed officials familiar with his schedule, The New York Times reported on Saturday that Trump “no longer has plans” to travel to India for the meeting.
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“After telling Mr [Narendra] Modi that he would travel to India later this year for the Quad summit, Mr Trump no longer has plans to visit in the fall,” the report said, citing the Indian prime minister.
There was no official comment from either the US or India on the report.
A grouping comprising Australia, India, Japan, and the US, the Quad – short for Quadrilateral Security Dialogue – is aimed at supporting a peaceful, stable, and prosperous Indo-Pacific region.
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