Is Quid trying to destroy the 'Quad ' alliance ?
To refresh your memory ;the Quad is US India Australia and Japan in alliance to check the aggressive predatory expansion of the Chinese.
The US has done what we call Freedom of Navigation exercises by sailing ships of the fleet through sea areas that China illegally claim .
But on April 7 , the USS John Paul Jones sailed through India's territorial waters off of the Lakshadweep Islands. They are not in dispute, unlike the waters China claims by seizing coral reefs off the coast of Philippines .They are right off of India's coast .
But the JPJ sailed them anyway without requesting or being granted permission from India . The JPJ declared the right freedom of navigation . The provocative statement went on to say “prior consent for military exercises or manoeuvres in its exclusive economic zone or continental shelf”, was “inconsistent with international law”.
The Navy stated that the Freedom of Navigation Operation “upheld the rights, freedoms, and lawful uses of the sea recognized in international law by challenging India’s excessive maritime claims”. The irresponsible exercise by US Navy is in complete contrast with the rapid growth in India-US ties in defense and security since 2016.The US’s total defense trade with India has increased to over $20 billion.
The two countries have been participating in regular joint multilateral military exercises . Just 3 weeks prior the Quad met and all four members reaffirmed their strategic commitment .US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin paid a three day visit to India March 19 He called India a “great partner” and reaffirmed the importance which the USA attaches to India in promoting peace and stability in the region.
Given that ,the exercise seems very bizarre and ill timed at best. At worse one could speculate that Quid is intentionally trying to damage the relationship.