Biden to host ‘Quad’ leaders in Delaware

The United States will host a meeting of the Quad on September 21, according to a release from the White House. US President Joe Biden will host the fourth in-person meet of the group – consiting of India, Australia and Japan – in Wilmington, Delaware.

“The President looks forward to welcoming Prime Minister Anthony Albanese of Australia, Prime Minister Narendra Modi of India, and Prime Minister Kishida Fumio of Japan,” the White House release said.

The September meet will be the final Quad meeting for the American President as well as Japan’s Kishida, who are due to step down soon.

Scheduled for later this month, the meeting of world leaders is the first time Biden will host foreign leaders in Wilmington as president, a move the White House has termed “a reflection of his deep personal relationships with each of the Quad Leaders, and the importance of the Quad to all of our countries.”

PM Modi and Australia’s PM Albanese will be in the country for United Nations meetings, with Modi planning to visit the US between September 20 and 25.

“The Quad Leaders Summit will focus on bolstering the strategic convergence among our countries, advancing our shared vision of a free and open Indo-Pacific region, and delivering concrete benefits for partners in the Indo-Pacific in key areas,” the White House said.

“These include health security, natural disaster response, maritime security, high-quality infrastructure, critical and emerging technology, climate and clean energy, and cybersecurity,” it added.

India was scheduled to host this edition of the summit, but will instead host the next edition, owing to Biden’s decision to not to seek re-election.