Quad signs off on Indo-Pacific: Split on Russia, unity on China

Syllabus: Regional forums, international organizations.

Context:

At the fourth Quad summit — the second since the Russian invasion of Ukraine, there were divergences among the leaders of Australia, India, Japan and US on the war in Europe.
There was unanimity in their response to China’s belligerence as they strongly opposed “any coercive, provocative or unilateral actions that seek to change the status quo” in the Indo-Pacific.
Indian Prime Minister said: At the Quad level, mutual cooperation is encouraging a free, open, and inclusive Indo-Pacific region, which is a shared objective for all of us,”

Quadrilateral Security Dialogue(QUAD):

It is the informal strategic dialogue between India, USA, Japan and Australia with a shared objective to ensure and support a “free, open and prosperous” Indo-Pacific region.
In November 2017, India, the US, Australia and Japan gave shape to the long-pending “Quad” Coalition to develop a new strategy to keep the critical sea routes in the Indo-Pacific free of any influence (especially China).
In 2021, Quad countries issued a “Spirit of the Quad” joint statement promoting a free, open rules-border, rooted in international law to advance security and combat threats both in the Indo-Pacific and beyond.
3C strategy of QUAD

Indo-Pacific Economic Framework (IPEF)

It was announced in 2021 to set regional standards for cooperation, and includes some of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) member states.
IPEF is created to encourage regional economies to “decouple” from the Chinese market by leading them to alternative supply chains.
The IPEF will not include market access commitments such as lowering tariff barriers, as the agreement is “more of an Administrative arrangement”.
IPEF is viewed as reflecting the US’ ambitions to expand ties with key Indo-Pacific economies by building a supply chain that excludes China.
It has four “pillars” of work:

UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS):(1982)

It is an international agreement that establishes the legal framework for marine and maritime activities.
It divides marine areas into five main zones:

It is the only international convention which stipulates a framework for state jurisdiction in maritime spaces.
It provides a different legal status to different maritime zones.
It also provides specific guidance for states’ rights and responsibilities in the five concentric zones.
UNCLOS has been signed and ratified by nearly all the coastal countries in the South China Sea, its interpretation is still hotly disputed.
There is a maritime dispute in the East China Sea as well.

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IPEF and QUAD can help India to counter China militarily and economically. Critically analyze.