While there has been an implicit message conveyed through the body language of Prime Minister Modi, the launch of the initiative is majorly aimed at countering the influence of China in the region which not only does the US want to maintain its upper hand in global economics, but at the same time, India also wants to be part of collectives measures taken in this regard by the world powers who are trying hard to limit China’s military as well as economic influence.
The Economic Framework can be seen as a step two of the QUAD, while the QUAD has already put in place the necessary defense alliances to counter China militarily, the Economic Framework is aimed to cover the other leg, ensuring total influence in the region, pushing China out. In all this, while other countries will be able to play a minimal role, India can go way ahead and prove its capability, particularly in terms of its role in regional economics.
Like a great leader who believes in putting across his point with great impact and weight, PM Modi also made several points during the occasion in Tokyo which was attended by many leaders. He was clear and bold to state that for the effectiveness of the framework, there is a need for trust, transparency, and timeliness. The initiative of the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework by the US and its prompt inclusion of India speaks for itself about the important leadership role which India is expected to play in the future, globally, and more importantly, regionally.
While the launch was happening, the Prime Minister Modi’s body language not only depicted his confidence and determination to play a vital role in the effective functioning and the implementation of the Economic Framework but also, implicitly suggested that like, there is an importance of the key western countries in their region and dominate with their power the rest of the countries, India too has a great role and importance in the Indo-Pacific region and in a way will not be ready to take orders from the West in any connection. Under the leadership of Narendra Modi, India is set to show its regional power and that needs to begin with its giant economic role.
