At the first historic in-person summit of the leaders of Australia, India, US and Japan, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that the Quad will ensure peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region as well as across the globe.
In his short opening speech, PM said – “I am confident that our cooperation will establish peace and prosperity in the world and Indo-Pacific. I firmly believe our Quad would act as a force for global good.
PM Modi also thanked United States President Joe Biden for the in-person summit of the grouping, and said the four nations first came together in 2004 to help the Indo-Pacific region in the aftermath of the Tsunami. “Now, that the world is combating the Covid-19 pandemic, we are meeting again under the Quad for the betterment of humanity,” he said in Hindi.
“On the basis of our common democratic values, Quad has decided to move ahead with positive thought and approach. I would be happy to discuss supply chain or global security, climate action or Covid response or cooperation in technology with Quad members,” he added.
PM Modi said he was confident that “our participation in Quad will establish peace and prosperity in the world”.
hoped that the grouping of the four countries does not ‘target’ any other nation.
The summit, attended by Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison and Japan PM Yoshihide Suga was hosted by US President Joe Biden, comes amidst China’s growing military presence in the strategic region.
Ahead of the Quad summit, Prime Minister Modi separately met his Australian and Japanese counterparts on Thursday and they reaffirmed the importance of realisation of a “free and open” Indo-Pacific.
