'More strategic & relevant than ever': White House hails Quad ahead of leaders' summit

Ahead of the leaders’ summit later this week, the White House has said Quad is now more “strategic and relevant than ever”.

The Quad is a grouping comprising the United States, India, Japan, and Australia. US President Joe Biden is hosting Prime Minister Narendra Modi of India, PM Fumio Kishida of Japan, and PM Anthony Albanese of Australia on Saturday (September 21) for the Quad Leaders’ Summit.

Speaking to the media, White House National Security Spokesperson John Kirby on Wednesday said that Quad members are now more aligned than ever.

“We believe you’ll see… that the Quad is more strategically aligned and more relevant than ever before,” said Kirby, according to PTI.

Quad’s main area of focus is the Indo-Pacific where the group advances a rules-based order, freedom of the seas, and inclusive development. Even though they never mention China by name and specify Quad is not a formal alliance, the group is united against Chinese expansionism and hegemonic designs in the region.

Kirby said that Biden was very excited to host the Quad leaders in his hometown of Wilmington in Delaware — his hometown.

“He’s very excited about that, about showing them a place and a community that shapes so much of the public servant and the leader that he became. It’s also a reflection of his belief that like politics, foreign policy is also personal,” said Kirby.

This year, it was India’s turn to host the Quad Summit, but the United States requested to swap the turn with India. Now, India will host the summit next year.

Kirby framed the promotion of Quad as part of Biden’s broader attempts to strengthen alliances and partnerships in the four years of Biden administration. In the first 100 days of his term, he hosted a virtual summit and the leaders’ summits since then have been an annual feature on rotation basis. The Quad members also engage at other levels, including at the level of foreign ministers, throughout the year.

Modi will visit the United States during Sept. 21-24. The government has confirmed that he will attend the Quad Summit and address the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA). A bilateral meeting with Biden is also expected. While the government has not confirmed it, former US President and Republican nominee Donald Trump has said that Modi will also meet him. It is not known if a meeting with Vice President and Democratic nominee Kamala Harris is also scheduled.