'Quad is here to stay,' says PM Modi as the group calls for maritime security & UNSC reforms

While reaffirming India’s commitment to the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (Quad), Prime Minister Narendra Modi called the group a “force of Global Good”. The comments from the Indian premier came while he was delivering a powerful address at the Quad Leaders’ Summit which was being organised in Delaware. PM Modi is currently on a three-day visit to the United States where he also held bilateral talks with the Quad leaders.

During the meeting, the Prime Minister gave his own abbreviation to Quad. He described it as “Quick Unified Assistance Delivery,” and insisted that the regional body “is here to stay”. According to ANI, the leaders lauded India’s role in the Indian Ocean. US President Joe Biden mentioned that “the US has things to learn from India’s experience and leadership in the Indian Ocean.”

Meanwhile, Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida extended support to PM Modi for his initiative to organise Voice of Global South Summits. The Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese went on to call India a “predominant power in the Indian Ocean”.

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Addressing the Quad Leaders' Summit. https://t.co/fphRgLwLPS

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) September 21, 2024

“Quad - a force for global good. PM Narendra Modi participated in the Quad Leaders’ Summit along with President Joe Biden of the USA, PM Fumio Kishida and Australia PM Anthony Albanese today. PM Modi reaffirmed India’s commitment to the Quad cooperation for a free and open Indo-Pacific. Quad will continue to assist the region’s development priorities and accelerate the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals,” MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter, sharing glimpses from the event.

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Highlights of PM Shri Narendra Modi’s remarks at the Quad Leaders’ Summit: pic.twitter.com/jGBT7kPMLg

— Randhir Jaiswal (@MEAIndia) September 21, 2024

Quad calls for reforms in the UNSC

In the joint statement released after the meeting, Quad leaders called for reforms in the United Nations Security Council, pushing for India’s permanent seat in the body. “We will reform the UN Security Council, recognizing the urgent need to make it more representative, inclusive, transparent, efficient, effective, democratic and accountable through expansion in permanent and non-permanent categories of membership of the UN Security Council. This expansion of permanent seats should include representation for Africa, Asia, Latin America and the Caribbean in a reformed Security Council,” the statement reads.

The group also slammed China’s growing aggressiveness in the Indo-Pacific region and the South China Sea. “We are seriously concerned about the situation in the East and South China Seas. We continue to express our serious concern about the militarization of disputed features, and coercive and intimidating maneuvers in the South China Sea. We condemn the dangerous use of coast guard and maritime militia vessels, including increasing use of dangerous manoeuvres,” the joint statement reads.

The body also insisted that the issues of maritime security should be resolved peacefully. “We also oppose efforts to disrupt other countries’ offshore resource exploitation activities. We reaffirm that maritime disputes must be resolved peacefully and in accordance with international law, as reflected in UNCLOS,” the statement furthered.

It is important to note that the sixth edition of the Quad Leaders’ Summit is a ‘farewell’ summit for both US President Joe Biden and Japan Prime Minister Fumio Kishida. During his remarks, Prime Minister Modi noted how the Quad leaders have joined hands to usher in positive and inclusive initiatives in areas like Health, security, critical and emerging technologies, climate change and capacity meetings. At the summit, the Prime Minister also announced that India would be hosting the Quad Leaders’ Summit in 2025.

With inputs from agencies.