NEW DELHI, Sept 21: The Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Philadelphia on a three-day visit to United States where he will attend the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (Quad) summit and will also be addressing a key U.N. meeting.
Quad, a group comprised of India, the U.S., Australia and Japan, are finally going to be convening on Saturday (September 21) evening in a summit-level meeting of the group’s leaders in the port city of Wilmington in Delaware, USA, considering past postponements of Quad summits.
A bipartisan group of US senators and members of the US House of Representatives had announced the formation of a caucus to promote the Quad on Saturday. It was essential for the U.S. to strengthen its relationship with Quad countries given the growing importance of the Indo-Pacific region, a senator said. The Quad summit holds immediate significance and takes place against the backdrop of pressing global challenges and transitions in leadership among some member nations.
According to sources, it is unclear whether the Russia-Ukraine and Israel-Gaza will be discussed in the joint statement after the leaders meet, however, the leaders are expected to focus on strengthening cooperation on semiconductors and building a “more secure” environment in the region through critical and emerging technologies., enhancing Indo-Pacific Maritime Domain Awareness (IPMDA) mechanisms, including possible joint operations in the oceans in the future.
According to the Ministry of External Affairs, Mr Modi would be in the US from Saturday till Monday. “At the Quad Summit, the leaders will review the progress achieved by the Quad over the last year and set the agenda for the year ahead to assist the countries of the Indo-Pacific region in meeting their development goals and aspirations.”
Mr Modi’s visit will start with a bilateral meeting between the United States and India, where he and the US president Joe Biden will discuss several key issues in an effort to further strengthen India-US ties. “Landed in Philadelphia,” PM Modi posted on social media website X, saying that he will be attending the Quad summit and hold a bilateral meeting with Joe Biden, adding that “discussions throughout the day will contribute to making the planet better.”
Mr Modi also shared photographs of the warm welcome he got upon his arrival by people of the Indian community settled in the United States. Praising the Indian diaspora, the Prime Minister said, “The Indian community has distinguished itself in the USA, making a positive impact across diverse sectors.” He further said he looks forward to interacting with them at the ‘Modi And US’ programme in New York on Sunday.
Several key agreements are likely to be signed during the bilateral meet. A multi-billion dollar deal in which India plans to acquire 31 predator drones from the US will also be discussed. An announcement may be made about the India-US space collaboration, under which Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla will be travelling to the International Space Station as part of the Axiom-4 mission.
After the bilateral, PM Modi will attend the Quad summit with Mr Biden, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida. White House Spokesperson John Kirby has said China will be high on the agenda. “In fact, it would be irresponsible if they didn’t talk about the challenges that still exist in the region caused by aggressive People’s Republic of China military action… for instance, unfair trade practices, tensions over the Taiwan Strait… I have no doubt that that all those issues will come up,” Mr Kirby said.
This year’s Quad summit is being held in US President Joe Biden’s hometown Wilmington, in US’s Delaware. This will be the last Quad Summit for US President Joe Biden, who is not seeking a second term in the top office. It will also be the last Summit for Japanese PM Fumio Kishida. The Quad grouping is committed to supporting an open, stable and prosperous Indo-Pacific region that is inclusive and resilient.
The Quad assumes significance amid rising concerns over China’s aggressive posturing in the South China Sea, Indian Ocean as well as the Pacific. The Quad cooperation is there to ensure a free and open Indo-Pacific and to ensure that there is freedom of navigation of the seas and there is regard for international laws and adherence to a rules-based order. The Quad has emerged as a key platform of like-minded countries focusing on peace and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region, PM Modi said on Saturday before he left for the US.
(Manas Dasgupta)