Beyond the Quad: How India is expanding its defence arc across the Indo-Pacific

Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Indonesia, Australia and New Zealand has put the spotlight on New Delhi's relationships with countries further east in the Indo-Pacific region. The visit comes at a time when countries in the neighbourhood are increasingly wary of China's growing assertiveness in the Indo-Pacific.On the day PM Modi landed in Jakarta, China launched a submarine-launched ballistic missile during a pre-scheduled exercise with Russia, an old and trusted strategic partner of India. PM Modi's visit also comes just three days after Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi concluded her visit to India. At the same time, India is cooperating with partners Australia, Japan and the United States, under the banner of the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (Quad) to ensure a free and open Indo-Pacific.