On the sidelines of the Fourth Quad Leaders’ Summit, Prime Minister Narendra Modi met with President Joe Biden at his residence on September 21, 2024, in Wilmington, Delaware. During the meeting, Modi expressed his deep appreciation for President Biden’s significant contributions to strengthening the India-US partnership.
The Prime Minister highlighted that India, and the United States share a robust global strategic partnership, which spans a wide range of areas and is rooted in shared democratic values, common interests, and strong people-to-people connections, according to a statement from India’s Foreign Ministry.
“Both leaders discussed ways to further enhance bilateral cooperation in areas of mutual interest and exchanged views on global and regional issues including the Indo-Pacific region and beyond,” noted the statement. “They expressed confidence in the strength and continuing resilience of the relationship and their belief in its significance for all areas of human endeavor between the two countries.”
Prime Minister Modi fondly recalled his State visit to the United States in June 2023 and President Biden’s visit to India for the G-20 Leaders’ Summit in September 2023, noting that these visits have brought renewed energy and depth to the India-US partnership.
Welcome the Quad leaders to Delaware, President Biden noted “These leaders aren’t just essential to ensuring a free and open Indo-Pacific – they’re friends of mine and friends of our nation.”
At the meeting with President Biden, Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, and Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, PM Modi expressed his pleasure in joining friends so early in his third term.
“There cannot be a better place than President Biden’s own hometown of Wilmington, to celebrate the 20thanniversary of Quad. The way you are associated with this city and with Delaware as “Amtrak Joe,” your relationship with Quad also is somewhat similar,” PM Modi expressed. “Under your leadership in 2021, the first Summit was held, and in such a short span of time, we have enhanced our cooperation in every sphere, in ways unprecedented. Your personal role in this has been extremely important.”
Additionally, PM Modi thanked President Biden for his dedication, leadership, and contributions to the Quad. He highlighted that their meeting comes at a time when the world is facing numerous conflicts and tensions. In such challenging times, it is crucial for humanity that Quad members advance together, grounded in shared democratic values. The Prime Minister emphasized that the Quad Leaders are not acting in opposition to any specific group or country.
PM Modi pointed out that the collective aim is to support a rules-based international order, uphold respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity, and promote the peaceful resolution of disputes. He further noted “A free, open, inclusive, and prosperous Indo-Pacific region,” remains our shared priority and commitment.
“We have together taken several positive and inclusive initiatives in areas such as health security, critical and emerging technologies, climate change and capacity building,” adding the Quad Leaders’ message is clear and that Quad is here to stay, to assist, to partner and to compliment.
He invited all the leaders to India, where the Fifth Quad Leaders’ Summit will take place in New Delhi in 2025.
PM Kishida, and PM Albanese also spoke emphasizing the importance of the Quad and said they looked forward to the next Summit in New Delhi.
