Hiroshima, Japan: In a recent Quad meeting held on the sidelines of the G7 summit, US President Joe Biden and Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese shared their admiration for Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s adeptness at managing large crowds. According to the news agency ANI, President Biden even approached PM Modi and requested his autograph, expressing his struggle to accommodate requests from prominent figures to attend Modi’s events.
During the meeting, Prime Minister Albanese highlighted the challenges he faced in accommodating the overwhelming demand for a community reception in Sydney, which had a capacity of 20,000 attendees. Biden, impressed by Modi’s popularity, recalled the massive reception of over 90,000 people at the Narendra Modi stadium and jokingly remarked to the Indian Prime Minister, “I should take your autograph.”
One of the significant announcements during the Quad meeting was PM Modi’s proposal to host the next Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (Quad) summit in 2024. In his opening remarks, Modi expressed India’s readiness to welcome leaders from the United States, Australia, and Japan, emphasizing the Quad’s commitment to a free, open, prosperous, and inclusive Indo-Pacific region. He also emphasized the Quad’s dedication to global welfare, prosperity, and peace.
Earlier in the week, the planned Quad summit in Sydney had been canceled after President Biden withdrew from his visit due to ongoing debt limit talks in Washington. However, the leaders subsequently agreed to hold the summit in Hiroshima, Japan, ensuring their presence and the opportunity to assess the progress made over the past year.
During the meeting, the Quad leaders expressed their gratitude for each other’s participation and engaged in discussions about strategic assessments. They also welcomed new forms of cooperation, particularly in secure digital technology, submarine cables, infrastructure capacity building, and maritime awareness. The Quad’s main focus remains on prioritizing the well-being of the people, prosperity, and peace while collectively shaping the Indo-Pacific region.
The collaborative efforts demonstrated by the Quad leaders underscore their commitment to strengthening regional security and promoting shared values in the face of evolving challenges. As India extends its offer to host the next Quad summit, the group’s cohesion and determination to forge a united front in the Indo-Pacific region remain stronger than ever.