‘Quad is here to stay’: On Day 1 of PM Modi’s US trip, a veiled dig at China, ‘fruitful’ talks with Biden

“Free, open, inclusive and prosperous Indo-Pacific is our priority. We are not against anyone. We all support a rules-based international order, respect for sovereignty, territorial integrity, and peaceful resolution of all issues,” Modi said, without naming any country.

President Joe Biden hosted the summit in his hometown of Wilmington, Delaware and it was also attended by Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida.

Here are the highlights from Day 1 of his three-day visit to the US:

Stating that the Quad leaders gathered at a time when tensions surrounded the world, Modi said working together of Quad with its democratic values is significant for the entire human race at such a time.

“Together we have taken many positive and inclusive initiatives in areas like health security, critical and emerging technologies, climate change, capacity building,” he said.

What is Quad? In 2017, the United States, Japan, India, and Australia came together to form the “Quad,” or Quadrilateral coalition, aimed to address China’s aggressive behaviour in the Indo-Pacific region. This four-member alliance, known as the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue, promotes the principles of a free, open, and inclusive Indo-Pacific.

Modi said he will be happy to host the Quad Summit in 2025.

This was also a farewell summit for both Joe Biden and Fumio Kishida, who near the end of their terms in office.

‘Fruitful’ talks with Biden: Taking about the India-US partnership, both the sides issued a joint statement calling it the “defining partnership of the 21st century”.

Modi appreciated the contributions made by President Biden in giving a boost to the India-US partnership. Recalling his State visit to the US in June 2023 and Biden’s visit to India in September 2023 for the G-20 Leaders’ Summit, Modi said that the visits have imparted greater dynamism and depth to the India-US partnership.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi with US President Joe Biden at the Quad Summit in Delaware, US. (Photo: X/@narendramodi)

Both the leaders hailed a watershed arrangement to establish a new semiconductor fabrication plant in India. It will be enabled by support from the India Semiconductor Mission as well as a strategic technology partnership between Bharat Semi, 3rdiTech, and the US Space Force.

They also welcomed progress toward the first joint effort by NASA and ISRO to conduct scientific research onboard the International Space Station in 2025.

Both the countries also plan to elevate bilateral bilateral technical, financial, and policy support to expand complementary manufacturing capacity for building on existing clean energy cooperation, the White House said in a statement.

“The US and India are “working to unlock USD 1 billion in new multilateral finance through the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD) for projects, including catalysing India’s domestic clean energy supply chain buildout”, the White House statement said.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi with Australian PM Anthony Albanese at the Quad Summit in Delaware, US. (Photo: X/@narendramodi)

‘Time-tested friendship’ with Australia: Modi and Albanese pledged to strengthen their bilateral ties, with Modi saying he “cherishes the lasting friendship” between India and Australia.

“Held extensive discussions with PM Albanese. We seek to add even more momentum in areas like trade, security, space and culture. India greatly cherishes the time-tested friendship with Australia,” Modi said in a post on X.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi with his Japanese counterpart, Fumio Kishida, at the Quad Summit in Delaware, US. (Photo: X/@narendramodi)

India-Japan ties: In a post on X, PM Modi stated that he held a “very good” meeting with his Japanese counterpart, Fumio Kishida and discussed cooperation in infrastructure, semiconductors, defence and green energy.

The two leaders noted that the India-Japan Special Strategic and Global Partnership is in its 10th year and expressed satisfaction at the progress made in the relationship.

‘Cooperation in healthcare’: Participating in the Quad Leaders’ Cancer Moonshot event Modi announced a grant of USD 7.5 million for cancer testing, screening and diagnostics in the Indo-Pacific region.

“The four leaders committed to detection, prevention and treatment of cervical cancer in the Indo-Pacific region. In keeping with India’s vision of ONE WORLD, ONE HEALTH, PM announced the dedication of a grant of USD 7.5 million to cancer testing, and screening….,” the MEA said in a post on X.

Quad’s joint statement: ‘A force for good’

A joint declaration issued after the meeting of the 4 leaders stated that the Quad is a force for good and is more strategically aligned than ever before.

“Four years since elevating the Quad to a leader-level format, the Quad is more strategically aligned than ever before and is a force for good that delivers real, positive, and enduring impact for the Indo-Pacific,” said the Wilmington Declaration issued after the fourth in-person Quad Summit.

In a veiled reference to China, the group also said that “as four leading maritime democracies in the Indo-Pacific, we unequivocally stand for the maintenance of peace and stability across this dynamic region.”

China is involved in territorial disputes in both the South China Sea and the East China Sea. It claims sovereignty over the entire South China Sea, while Vietnam, Malaysia, the Philippines, Brunei, and Taiwan have competing claims.

“We look forward to India hosting the inaugural MAITRI workshop in 2025. Furthermore, we welcome the launch of a Quad maritime legal dialogue to support efforts to uphold the rules-based maritime order in the Indo-Pacific. In addition, Quad partners intend to layer new technology and data into IPMDA over the coming year to continue to deliver cutting edge capability and information to the region,” the declaration said.

The US Coast Guard, Japan Coast Guard, Australian Border Force, and Indian Coast Guard plan to launch a first-ever Quad-at-Sea Ship Observer Mission in 2025, to improve interoperability and advance maritime safety.

US hands antiquities smuggled out of India: The US handed over 297 antiquities, which were smuggled out of India, during the ongoing visit of PM Modi.

“Deepening cultural connect and strengthening the fight against illicit trafficking of cultural properties. I am extremely grateful to President Biden and the US Government for ensuring the return of 297 invaluable antiquities to India,” Modi on X. With this, the total number of ancient items recovered by India since 2014 has gone to 640, officials said, adding the number returned from the USA alone will be 578.

Deepening cultural connect and strengthening the fight against illicit trafficking of cultural properties.

I am extremely grateful to President Biden and the US Government for ensuring the return of 297 invaluable antiquities to India. @POTUS @JoeBiden pic.twitter.com/0jziIYZ1GO

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) September 22, 2024