Sujata Ashwarya

India’s foreign policy demonstrates a marked evolution, characterized by closer ties with the United States and an active role in the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (Quad) alongside Australia and Japan. Situated strategically at the confluence of the Pacific and Indian Oceans, India assumes a central role in mitigating China’s expanding regional influence. The Quad serves as a platform through which India reinforces strategic partnerships while preserving flexibility, eschewing formal military alliances in favor of a focus on strategic autonomy and non-traditional concerns such as climate resilience and infrastructure development. By engaging with the Quad, India not only enhances its international stature but also derives benefits as a positional and club good, gaining global recognition and access to critical resources, including advanced military technologies. Through the strategic use of relational power, India shapes the Quad’s agenda to align with its priorities, reflecting its nuanced approach to balancing autonomy and regional influence within the Indo-Pacific framework. This article argues that India’s relational power within the Quad helps it shape the forum’s agenda and convert membership into status-enhancing recognition and exclusive cooperation benefits.