Since the inauguration, President Joe Biden has spoken with the leaders of all major rising powers and initiated a new era of multilateral cooperation in the Indo-Pacific region. According to Biden’s National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan, the new administration sees the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue, which include the U.S., Japan, India, and Australia, as “a foundation upon which to build substantial American policy in the Indo-Pacific region.” Top diplomats of the Quad met on February 18 and discussed security issues in the Indo-Pacific. During the meeting, the Quad agreed to “strongly” oppose any attempts by China to alter the status quo in the region by force. A day later, President Biden attended his first G7 meeting, after which G7 leaders said they would seek a collective approach to China to counter “non-market oriented” policies and practices.

Meanwhile, several interactions among the resident powers of the Indo-Pacific demonstrated noticeable changes in the diplomatic and security dynamics of the region. Security tensions between China and India eased as the two sides pulled back their troops from the disputed border near the Pangong Tso Lake area on February 21. At the same time, Indian and U.S. armies concluded the Yudh Abhyas bilateral exercise. China was expected to conduct a joint naval exercise with Russia and Iran in the Indian Ocean in mid-February but ended up not participating. Economic tensions between China and India also saw some improvement as India is expected to clear 45 investment deals from China.

In this Policy Alert, we examine the Rising Powers’ reactions to the shifting dynamics of the Indo-Pacific under the Biden administration.

Read the Policy Alert here.