Ahead of the Quad summit in Delaware, US President Joe Biden, one of the key architects of the Quad, was asked whether the grouping would continue beyond the November elections. The question was directed at Biden, who is not seeking re-election, as he posed for a photo with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and his Australian and Japanese counterparts, Anthony Albanese and Fumio Kishida.
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In response, Biden turned and placed his hand on PM Modi’s shoulder, stating, “(It will survive) way beyond November.” The four leaders represent the Quad nations, a strategic and security alliance committed to maintaining a free and open Indo-Pacific.
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#WATCH | Wilmington, US: When asked will the Quad survive beyond the elections in November, US President Joe Biden says, “Way beyond November.”
(Source: ANI/DD News) pic.twitter.com/BbOqVpp5XT
— ANI (@ANI) September 21, 2024
The Quad summit is taking place in US President Joe Biden’s hometown of Wilmington, Delaware.
With Biden not running for re-election, the upcoming US elections in November will see a contest between Kamala Harris and Donald Trump. Similarly, Japan’s Prime Minister Fumio Kishida has announced he will not seek re-election, meaning both the US and Japan will have new leaders representing them at the next Quad summit.
During his opening remarks, Prime Minister Narendra Modi extended an invitation to host the Quad Leaders’ summit in India in 2025. He also emphasized that maintaining a free, open, and inclusive Indo-Pacific is a shared priority and commitment for the Quad nations.
“We are meeting at a time when the world is surrounded by tensions and conflicts. At such a time, it is important for all of humanity that the members of the Quad move forward based on shared democratic values,” he told the Quad leaders.
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