US gears up to host first in-person Quad summit; PM Modi will address UNGA

The Leaders’ Summit of the Quadrilateral Framework in Washington D.C scheduled on 24 September gains significance at the time of the United States' exit from Afghanistan, and Taliban taking over the government. Interacting with ETV Bharat's Senior Correspondent Chandrakala Choudhury former ambassador Jitendra Tripathi says that all the quad countries are united in their view on Afghanistan and its cabinet.

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi along with Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison, Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga and U.S. President Joe Biden is all set to attend the Leaders’ Summit of the Quadrilateral Framework in Washington D.C on 24 September, the Ministry of External Affairs said on Tuesday.

Commenting on the significance of the first in-person Quad summit, former ambassador and Consul General of India in Sao Paulo, Brazil, Jitendra Tripathi said, "the quad summit comes at a time when there are problems in Afghanistan and all the quad countries are united in their view on Afghanistan and its cabinet". The leaders will review progress made since their first virtual Summit on 12 March 2021 and discuss regional issues of shared interest. With the situation in Afghanistan unfolding rapidly, Modi’s visit is significant. Besides meeting Biden, he is expected to have important meetings with the top-ranking officials of the US administration.

Secondly, "The in-person quad summit will be the time for America to show that though it has left Afghanistan, it doesn't mean that its power has weakened. America still controls one-fourth of the global GDP and is the biggest trade power."

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The Ministry of External Affairs has said that as part of their ongoing efforts to contain the Covid-19 pandemic, the quad leaders will review the Quad Vaccine initiative which was announced in March this year. The leaders will also exchange views on contemporary global issues such as critical and emerging technologies, connectivity and infrastructure, cyber security, maritime assistance/disaster assistance/disaster relief, climate change and education.

Meanwhile, the White House on Monday said President Biden is looking forward to welcoming to the White House Prime Minister Scott Morrison of Australia, Prime Minister Narendra Modi of India, and Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga of Japan.

PM Modi is also scheduled to address the General Debate of the High-Level Segment of the 76th Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) on 25 September in New York. This will be his first visit to the United States after Biden assumed charge early this year.

The theme for this year’s General Debate is ‘Building Resilience through hope to recover from COVID-19, rebuild sustainably, respond to the needs of the planet, respect the rights of people, and relations with the United Nations.

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The bilateral meeting between President Biden and PM Modi will further strengthen the ties between the two countries. The leaders are also expected to discuss issues ranging from trade imbroglio, issues of visa to Indian students, more cooperation on defence, South China sea and to the fast-evolving situation in Afghanistan will top the agenda of discussion as well.

"The Biden-Harris Administration has made elevating the Quad a priority, as seen through the first-ever Quad Leaders-level engagement in March, which was virtual, and now this Summit, which will be in-person. Hosting the leaders of the Quad demonstrates the Biden-Harris Administration’s priority of engaging in the Indo-Pacific, including through new multilateral configurations to meet the challenges of the 21st century", the White House added.

The summit would provide a valuable opportunity for dialogue and interactions among the Leaders, anchored in the shared vision of ensuring a free, open and inclusive Indo-Pacific region.