Washington, Feb 12 (NationPress) Lawmakers raised concerns regarding the importance of the Quad within the United States' Indo-Pacific strategy, as the State Department defended the coalition as a critical platform vital for counterbalancing China's influence.

During a House subcommittee hearing focused on South and Central Asia on Wednesday (local time), Democratic Ranking Member Sydney Kamlager-Dove expressed worry that the Quad was mentioned only twice in the 2025 national security strategy.

“I hope you can emphasize, in your role, the significance of the Quad and its strategic importance to the work we’re striving to accomplish in the region,” she stated to Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs Paul Kapur.

Kapur countered the notion that the administration was minimizing the grouping's significance.

“I believe the Quad is a very significant platform,” he noted, adding that it was revitalized “during the first Trump administration” after a period of inactivity.

He emphasized that the Quad, which includes the United States, India, Japan, and Australia, “has gained importance since then” and “allows us to connect and collaborate in unique ways with our like-minded partners.”

Kapur explicitly linked the group to larger strategic goals in the Indo-Pacific.

“Our fundamental objective is not to exclude China from the region but to ensure that no single hegemon can dominate or exert coercive influence over it,” he elaborated.

In this context, India's role is crucial. “India has been an active participant in the Quad, and we engage with India both bilaterally and within the Quad framework, which I believe presents a promising opportunity for cooperation,” Kapur added.

Republican Rep. Keith Self further pressed, questioning whether the Quad was assertive enough in its stance against Beijing.

“Are they aggressive in the Quad?” Self inquired.

“I wouldn’t characterize them as aggressive, but they are significant members of the Quad,” Kapur replied.

This exchange highlighted the differing expectations within Congress regarding the Quad's assertiveness in response to China's expanding military and economic presence in the Indo-Pacific.

Earlier in the hearing, Kapur framed the US regional policy as focused on preventing any single power from dominating South Asia and the Indian Ocean.

“An independent India that can preserve its freedom of action effectively removes a substantial portion of the Indo-Pacific from China's influence, thereby preventing it from becoming the dominant force in the region,” he stated.

Lawmakers from both parties indicated bipartisan agreement on the overall strategy.

“This type of strategic thinking has persisted through both Democratic and Republican administrations,” Democratic Rep. Ami Bera remarked.

Kapur concluded the discussion by underscoring the early diplomatic initiatives under the current administration.

“The Quad holds great importance for us, and Secretary Rubio's first engagement as Secretary of State was indeed a Quad engagement,” he mentioned.

Originally launched in 2007, the Quad lapsed for nearly ten years before being revived in 2017. It has since developed into a central mechanism for Indo-Pacific coordination on maritime security, technological collaboration, and regional resilience amid escalating strategic competition with China.