Prime Minister Narendra Modi will attend the Quad summit, which is to be held on Tuesday. The PM will meet his counterparts Fumio Kishida of Japan, Joe Biden of the US, and the new Australian PM Anthony Albanese, after which Mr. Modi will hold bilateral talks with each other.
The countries are expected to discuss areas of convergence such as trade, climate change, infrastructure, and critical technologies, among others. Leaders may also discuss possible division areas such as the war in Ukraine, food security, and vaccine initiative. Foreign observers are expecting that Joe Biden can also discuss bringing Taiwan back to the World Health Assembly as an observer.
Countries will also unveil Indo-Pacific Economic Framework (IPEF) in Tokyo, a US initiative for trade partnerships in the region. IPEF is significant for India as it will build strong and better economic ties among countries.
While departing, Mr. Modi said, “The second in-person Quad Leaders Summit will allow the leaders of the four quad countries to review the progress and Quad initiatives.” The leaders will also exchange views about the Indo-Pacific region developments and global issues of mutual interest, as said by the PM.
Foreign observers are analyzing PM Modi’s statement point toward India’s consistent approach to its policy that it would not include comments on Russia in its diplomatic engagements with other countries.
US National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan said that Biden would discuss the impacts of Russia’s brutal invasion of Ukraine and its broader set of concerns, such as food security. The statements came after India’s ban on wheat exports against US and Japan at G-7 meetings and UNSC. However, Foreign Secretary Vinay Kwatra said, “there is a full understanding and appreciation of India’s stand on Ukraine.”
Mr. Kwatra also said that the leaders would organize a special session on the sidelines of the WHA on May 24, where these four countries will discuss disinformation during pandemics and boosting vaccine confidence.
The meeting is making China insecure and said, “Washington is trying to sow discord in the region.” Wang Yi said, “The US is keen to make small circles and change China’s neighborhood environment.” He accused the US of making Quad an Asian NATO.
