Can Quad break China’s mineral monopoly amid US-India rift?
Washington-New Delhi strains test bloc’s cohesion, but concerns over Beijing may keep critical minerals plans on track
Despite the persistent US-India fissures that could slow down the Quad’s momentum, however, a counter-unifying force may ultimately prove stronger, analysts said: shared anxieties among the partner countries over their dependence on China for critical supply chains.
“All of the governments are committed to this,” said Geoffrey Pyatt, assistant secretary of state for energy resources under the Joe Biden administration.
The Quad’s agenda could “slow” down due to the prevailing tensions, but all four members “still recognise the critical importance of supply chain diversification”, echoed Rick Rossow, a senior adviser focused on India and emerging Asia economics at the Centre for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS).
But the grouping still must grapple with underlying tensions.
