Albanian expects strong QUAD ties as Modi prepares to host next leaders’ summit in India

Leaders of the Quad alliance – Australia, the United States, Japan and India – delivered a strong message of solidarity and commitment at a summit in Delaware, pledging to strengthen their partnership in the face of global challenges.

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, US President Joe Biden, Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi reiterated that the Quad will continue to play a stabilizing role in the Indo-Pacific despite changes in political leadership in their countries.

Meeting at Archmere Academy, President Biden’s university, the leaders discussed a number of pressing issues, with a focus on maritime security in the Indo-Pacific region and countering China’s growing influence in the region.

A major initiative announced was the deployment of Australian Border Patrol personnel on US Coast Guard vessels, in partnership with Japanese and Indian forces, to patrol against illegal fishing and cross-border crime in the region.

“The Quad is here to stay,” President Biden said, underscoring the alliance’s continued relevance even as he nears the end of his presidency. Biden stressed that the Quad partnership would continue after the US elections in November, ensuring its sustainability regardless of political changes.

In a statement, Albanese echoed Biden’s sentiments and praised the Quad’s ability to evolve and adapt to regional needs.

“For Australia, the Quad is an important instrument to promote stability in our region. A stronger Quad means a stronger Australia“, he said, adding that the partnership plays an important role in addressing challenges such as cyber resilience, clean energy and counter-terrorism.

Amid rising tensions in the South China Sea, China’s assertiveness was a major topic of discussion at the summit. While leaders did not explicitly target China, their discussions focused on strengthening the rules-based international order and safeguarding regional sovereignty.

Modi, switching between Hindi and English, reaffirmed the Quad’s commitment to peace and security, saying: “Our message is clear: Quad is here to stay, to assist, to collaborate and to complement.He stressed that the alliance was not directed against any country, but was committed to promoting a free, open and inclusive Indo-Pacific.

– Advertisement –

The summit took place in a symbolic setting at Archmere Academy, where Biden’s personal history with the school added a deeply reflective tone to the gathering. The venue also hosted the funeral of his late son, Beau Biden, further tying the president’s past to his vision for the future of international cooperation.

The Quad leaders also touched on energy security, with Albanian Kishida assuring Australia would remain a reliable energy supplier, especially given Japan’s heavy reliance on gas imports. Both leaders reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening the Quad’s collective response to shared challenges in the Indo-Pacific.

Looking ahead, Modi invited him to host the next Quad Leaders’ Summit in India in 2025, signaling that the alliance will continue to shape the security architecture of the Indo-Pacific region in the years to come.

At the summit, Albanian expressed his expectations and said: “May I also say how much I am looking forward to my good friend Prime Minister Modi hosting the Quad Leaders’ Summit in India next year?President Biden summed up the essence of the meeting by noting, “While there will be challenges, the world will change, but the Quad is here to stay.”

Support our journalism

The global Indian diaspora and Australia’s multicultural communities need honest, unhyphenated and questioning journalism, full of on-the-ground reporting. Australia Today – with exceptional reporters, columnists and editors – does just that. To sustain it, we need the support of great readers like you.

Whether you live in Australia, the UK, Canada, the United States of America or India, you can become a paid subscriber by clicking on Patreon and supporting honest and fearless journalism. LINK: https://tinyurl.com/TheAusToday