QUAD drill in Indo-Pacific: Is it a nightmare for China?

About QUAD:

The Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (QSD, also known as QUAD) is an informal strategic forum of four like-minded countries: United States, Japan, Australia and India. QUAD performs various functions, but its military drills are causing anxiety for China.

It was established in 2007.

Assurance to China:

China didn't like this alliance. Because its arch enemy, United States, was making alliance with its neighbouring countries. Therefore, China showed discontent over it. But India and Australia assured China that QUAD is not Asian NATO, and it is restricted to the works of trade and culture exchanges.

Malabar Exercises:

But these assurances were mere rhetorics. In 2007 Australia was invited in the Malabar military exercise, and it perturbed China so much so that it pressurized India not to invite Australia in other exercises. Therefore, in 2018, Australia was rejected so as to allay the fears of China.

India's Pivot to Australia:

In 2020, border clashes between India and China had made the former to change strategies against China. It is now trying to teach China a  lesson. The latter had killed many Indian soldiers in the border skirmishes. Because of this, India is summoning Australia to this year's malabar naval exercise.

Australia, on the other hand, is not friendly with China either. In its 2020 Defence Strategic Update Paper released this month, Australia is pessimistic about China. 

USA is following the suit:

The US navy is also holding naval exercises in Philippine sea and Indian Ocean involving QUAD nations to escalate China's fears.  Some examples are given below:

18 July: US and Indian navies' joint exercise in Indian Ocean led my American aircraft carrier USS Nimitiz. And according to Stimson Lalwani, "this exercise was a precursor of things to come: A signal for China in the Indo-Pacific. 

21 July: Trilateral naval exercise in Philippine Sea  with Japan and Australia. 

These exercises made it clear to China that we are ready, and we are entering Indo-Pacific region at any cost. And to make matter even worse, now QUAD countries are preparing for Quadrilateral exercise involving all members. This haven't happened earlier. And "it will be the first ever QUAD military drill".

Addition of more members into QUAD:

Disputes in South China sea between China and some ASEAN countries have made the latter sceptical about China's intentions. It is highly likely that countries like Vietnam, Brunei, Indonesia and so forth may join the join the QUAD group to maintain their safety and security. 

But many analysts like Patrick Gerard Buchan had said that India's fear of China had decreased. But it has not gone altogether. The situation is delicate and no one will try to push it furthur.

An analyst said:

"I can sense a willingness in the four capitals to move from talk to walk". 

Conclusion:

Military exercises among QUAD nations in Indo-Pacific is causing anxiety for China. But what is the significance of QUAD for India? Undoubtedly, it is seeking vengeance to level its score with China. Will this exercise happen? Time will tell.