 "PM Modi in US: From drone deal to support for India’s permanent UNSC seat, takeaways from day 1")
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday arrived in the United States.
Modi attended the Quad Summit at President Joe Biden’s Wilmington home alongside Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida.
He also met Biden separately ahead of the summit.
The Quad Summit, the sixth such meeting between the leaders since 2021 and fourth-in person gathering, was seen as a farewell of sorts for both Biden and Kishida.
Modi is set to address the United Nations.
But what are the takeaways from day 1 of his US trip?
Let’s take a closer look:
‘Quad here to stay’
Modi in a strong message to China reiterated that the Quad is here to stay.
Modi said that the Quad is not against anyone, but for a rules-based international order and respect for sovereignty.
“Free, open, inclusive and prosperous Indo-Pacific is our priority,” Modi said.
“We are not against anyone. We all support a rules-based international order, respect for sovereignty, territorial integrity, and peaceful resolution of all issues," Modi added.
“We have together taken several positive and inclusive initiatives in areas such as health security, critical and emerging technologies, climate change and capacity building,” Modi said as per Indian Express.
China is engaged in hotly contested territorial disputes in both the South China Sea and the East China Sea.
China claims sovereignty over all of the South China Sea. Vietnam, Malaysia, the Philippines, Brunei and Taiwan have counterclaims.
“Our message is clear – Quad is here to stay, to assist, to partner and to complement,” Modi said.
“Together we have taken many positive and inclusive initiatives in areas like health security, critical and emerging technologies, climate change, capacity building,” he said.
He said that the Quad leaders have gathered at a time when the world is surrounded by tensions and conflicts.
“At such a time, the working together of Quad with its democratic values is significant for the entire human race,” the prime minister said.
“Glad to have met Quad Leaders during today’s Summit in Wilmington, Delaware. The discussions were fruitful, focusing on how Quad can keep working to further global good. We will keep working together in key sectors like healthcare, technology, climate change and capacity building," Modi said in a post on X.
During the meeting, the leaders discussed novel ways of cooperating with partners in Southeast Asia, the Pacific Islands and South Asia while reviewing and steering the direction for the future of Quad cooperation, a senior administration official told reporters after the meeting.
Calling their conversation “wide-ranging”, the official said the talks ranged from deepening security and the maritime security space, the Quad logistics network, and ways to deepen humanitarian assistance and disaster relief cooperation.
Responding to a question, the official said North Korea was also touched on, and more was supposed to be discussed during the dinner.
“There’s a lot of alignment in our perspectives on North Korea,” said the official, pointing to the joint statement, which has the strongest language against North Korea that the Quad has ever offered.
“Obviously, all of these leaders share significant concerns about the degree to which Russian military assistance is emboldening North Korea and contributing to its illicit programmes,” said the official.
“Quad – a force for global good!," the Ministry of External Affairs said in a post on X.
“PM 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,” it added.
Reiterating that the Quad remains a “force for global good,” the four leaders announced various initiatives to address the development priorities of the Indo-Pacific region and the global community as a whole, the MEA said.
Drone deal
India and the United States have firmed up a multi-billion dollar deal over MQ-9B Predator drones.
The US in February had announced the sale of 31 MQ-9B armed drones to India at an estimated cost of $3.99 billion during Modi’s state visit.
Under the deal, India will get 31 High Altitude Long Endurance (HALE) UAVs, of which the Navy will get 15 SeaGuardian drones, while the Army and the Indian Air Force will get eight each of the land version – SkyGuardian.
“The State Department has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to the Government of India of MQ-9B Remotely Piloted Aircraft and related equipment for an estimated cost of $3.99 billion,” the Defense Security Cooperation Agency said in a statement.
“This proposed sale will support the foreign policy and national security objectives of the United States by helping to strengthen the US-Indian strategic relationship and to improve the security of a major defence partner, which continues to be an important force for political stability, peace, and economic progress in the Indo-Pacific and South Asia region,” the agency had said.
“The proposed sale will improve India’s capability to meet current and future threats by enabling unmanned surveillance and reconnaissance patrols in sea lanes of operation,” it added.
US support for India’s permanent seat
The United States has also offered India support for a permanent seat at the United Nations Security Council (UNSC).
Biden told Modi the US recognises the need for reforms of global institutions to “reflect India’s important voice.”
The leaders said the reformed UNSC and the India-US partnership “is vital to the success of efforts to build a cleaner, inclusive, more secure, and more prosperous future for the planet.”
The UNSC currently has 15 members and just five permanent members – the US, the UK, Russia, China and France.
These five members hold veto powers and through its use have stalled action in the Council to address global challenges and conflicts such as in Ukraine and Gaza.
India has been highlighting the need for reforms at the UNSC to make it more diverse and equitable.
India has warned that global institutions need to reform or risk ‘facing oblivion.’
India earlier proposed making permanent members elected democratically by the General Assembly and flexibility on the veto issue.
India has called for membership to be increased from the current 15 to 25-26, by adding six permanent and four or five non-permanent members.
Among the six new permanent members, two each are proposed to be from African states and Asia Pacific states, one from Latin American and Caribbean states; and one from Western European and Other states.
The White House also praised India’s role as leader of the global south.
“India is at the forefront of efforts to seek solutions to the most pressing challenges, from supporting the global response to the COVID-19 pandemic to addressing the devastating consequences of conflicts around the world,” the White House said.
Biden also praised Modi for visiting Poland and Ukraine and his message of peace and ongoing humanitarian support for Kyiv.
Cancer initiative
Modi also announced the formation of the Quad Cancer Moonshot initiative – a “groundbreaking partnership” to save lives in the Indo-Pacific region by combating cervical cancer.
The Cancer Moonshot is a pet project of Biden and First Lady Jill Biden.
This is relevant as India has a growing number of cancer cases and is known as the cancer capital of the world.
Modi announced that India would grant $7.5 million for cancer testing, screening and diagnostics in the Indo-Pacific region.
“India is ready to share its experience and expertise,” Modi said in his remarks, asserting that the grant was made under India’s vision of ‘One Earth, One Heath’. He added that India will also provide assistance in radiotherapy treatment and capacity building.
“When the Quad acts, it is not just for nations, it is for the people. This is the true essence of our human-centric approach,” he said.
“During the COVID pandemic, we had taken the Quad Vaccine initiative for the Indo-Pacific and I am glad that in the Quad, we have decided to jointly tackle challenges like cervical cancer. In cancer care, collaboration is essential for cure,” he was quoted as saying by The Week.
“India has also developed its own vaccine for cervical cancer and new treatment protocols are also being introduced with the help of Artificial Intelligence,” Modi added.
“We have decided to jointly face the challenge of cervical cancer,” Modi said. “I heartily congratulate President Biden for organising this important event. It reflects our shared determination for affordable, accessible and quality healthcare,” the Prime Minister said.
“In cancer care, collaboration is essential for cure. An integrated approach of prevention, screening, diagnosis and treatment is necessary to reduce the burden of cancer,” he asserted.
Modi noted that India is running a “very cost-effective” cervical cancer screening programme on a mass scale. “Also, India is running the world’s largest health insurance scheme. And, special centres have also been created to make medicines available to everyone at affordable cost. India has also developed its own vaccine for cervical cancer. And, new treatment protocols are also being introduced with the help of AI,” he said, adding that India is ready to share its experience and expertise.
“I am happy that India will contribute 40 million vaccine doses for the Indo-Pacific countries under the GAVI and QUAD initiatives. These 40 million vaccine doses will bring rays of hope to the lives of crores of people. As you can see, when the QUAD acts, it is not just for nations – it is for the people. This is the true essence of our human-centric approach,” he concluded.
Experts say this could be a game changer.
Shekhar C Mande, former Director General, Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) and senior professor at Savitribai Phule Pune University, told NDTV, “Making this invaluable cancer data publicly accessible marks a pivotal step in accelerating scientific discoveries and enhancing patient outcomes. By openly sharing this data, we are empowering researchers, clinicians, and innovators to collaborate, explore new frontiers, and drive transformative breakthroughs in cancer treatment.”
“Cooperation in healthcare- a key Quad priority. PM @narendramodi participated in the Quad Cancer Moonshot event today. The four leaders committed to detection, prevention and treatment of cervical cancer in the Indo-Pacific region. In keeping with India’s vision of ONE WORLD, ONE HEALTH, PM announced the dedication of a grant of $7.5 million to cancer testing, screening and diagnostics in the Indo-Pacific region,” the MEA said in a separate post on X.
Energy cooperation
The US and India plan to elevate bilateral technical, financial, and policy support to expand complementary manufacturing capacity for building on existing clean energy cooperation between the two nations, according to the White House.
To launch the partnership for establishing a “shared, resilient, and cutting-edge techno-industrial base” centred on innovative clean energy manufacturing techniques, the US and India are “working to unlock $1 billion in new multilateral finance through the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD) for projects, including catalysing India’s domestic clean energy supply chain buildout”, the White House said in a statement.
The partnership will look to expand complementary US and Indian manufacturing capacity for clean energy technologies and components and lay the groundwork for enhanced cooperation in third countries, with a focus on partnerships in Africa.
This effort will build on existing clean energy cooperation between the US and India, including clean energy initiatives launched during Prime Minister Modi’s visit to the US in 2023, and the Strategic Clean Energy Partnership led by the US Department of Energy and Government of India ministries, among other initiatives.
The US-India partnership “sets a strong example for the world and positions our countries to lead clean economic development in the 21st century,” the statement said.
“The United States and India share an enduring commitment to deepen our collaboration on issues of shared national and economic security. As an important aspect of our economic growth agendas, we are committed to working together to capture the benefits of the clean energy transition, including the creation of high-quality jobs for our populations, acceleration of clean energy deployment globally, and achievement of global climate goals,” it said.
“Over time, we seek to mobilise additional financing into priority clean energy manufacturing sectors that harness public and private financial tools and pioneer innovative financial vehicles to meet the rapid demand for flexible climate finance solutions,” said the White House.
Noting that the United States and India intend to work with relevant government agencies, civil society and the private sector to identify a package of pilot projects across the clean energy value chain, it said that the two nations also pledge to work with industry leaders on the following lines of effort to launch and eventually scale this new partnership.
Other initiatives launched include the ‘Maritime Initiative for Training in the Indo-Pacific’ (MAITRI) to enable Indo-Pacific partners to maximize tools provided through the Indo-Pacific Maritime Domain Awareness and other Quad initiatives.
The first-ever ‘Quad-at-Sea Ship Observer Mission’ in 2025 was also launched to improve interoperability and advance maritime safety.
‘Quad Ports of the Future Partnership’, which will harness the grouping’s collective expertise to support sustainable and resilient port infrastructure development across the Indo-Pacific, was launched.
‘Quad Principles for Development and Deployment of Digital Public Infrastructure’ in the region and beyond, and a ‘Semiconductor Supply Chains Contingency Network Memorandum of Cooperation’ to enhance the resilience of Quad’s semiconductor supply chains, were also launched.
“President Biden and Prime Minister Modi hailed a watershed arrangement to establish a new semiconductor fabrication plant focused on advanced sensing, communication, and power electronics for national security, next generation telecommunications, and green energy applications,” the White House said.
The leaders also launched the Collective Quad effort to boost energy efficiency, including the deployment and manufacturing of high-efficiency affordable cooling systems in the Indo-Pacific region.
An initiative for India’s establishment of a space-based web portal for Mauritius, to support the concept of open science for space-based monitoring of extreme weather events and climate impact, was also launched.
Also launched was a new sub-category under the Quad STEM Fellowship, announced by India, for students of the Indo-Pacific region to pursue a four-year bachelor’s level engineering programme at a Government of India-funded technical institute.
Modi said he will be happy to host the Quad Summit in 2025.
The Quad Leaders’ Summit this year was earlier supposed to be held in India, but US President Biden was keen to hold the event in his hometown.
The US, Japan, India and Australia had in 2017 given shape to the long-pending proposal of setting up the “Quad” or the Quadrilateral coalition to counter China’s aggressive behaviour in the Indo-Pacific region.
The four-member Quad, or the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue, advocates upholding a free, open, and inclusive Indo-Pacific. China claims that the grouping aims to contain its rise.
With inputs from agencies
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