Prime Minister Narendra Modi said at the Quad summit on Saturday that a free, open and inclusive Indo-Pacific region is the shared priority and commitment of the Quad countries. Joe Biden, Australian PM Anthony Albanese and Japanese PM Fumio Kishida were also present at the meeting held in Wilmington, the hometown of the US President.
In his opening remarks, Prime Minister Modi said that the Quad Summit is being held at a time when the world is beset by tension and conflict.
“At such a time, it is important for all humanity that members of the Quad move forward based on shared democratic values. We are not against anyone. We all support a rules-based international order, respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity, and peaceful resolution of all disputes. A free, open, inclusive and prosperous Indo-Pacific is our shared priority and shared commitment,” he told the Quad leaders.
Prime Minister Modi said that the Quad has taken many positive and inclusive initiatives in areas such as health security, critical and emerging technologies, climate change and capacity building.
He said, “Our message is clear – the Quad is here to stay, to assist, to partner and to complement.” He offered to host a Quad Leaders’ Summit in India in 2025.
Read | “The talks were extremely fruitful”: PM Modi meets President Biden in US
Prime Minister Modi also said that the first Quad summit was held under the leadership of Biden and praised his role in expanding cooperation in every field in an unprecedented manner.
“I express my heartfelt gratitude to you (Biden) for your steadfast commitment, leadership and contribution to the Quad,” the Prime Minister said.
Prime Minister Modi arrived in the US a few hours ago on a three-day visit and held bilateral talks with President Biden at his home in Delaware. After the meeting, he said in an online post that the talks were very fruitful.
During his visit, the Prime Minister will also address the Future Summit at the United Nations General Assembly in New York and interact with the Indian diaspora and American business leaders.
