Biden Hosts Quad Leaders, Highlights Indo-Pacific Partnership \ Newslooks \ Washington DC \ Mary Sidiqi \ Evening Edition \ President Joe Biden hosted the leaders of Australia, Japan, and India in Wilmington, Delaware, for a Quad summit focused on strengthening Indo-Pacific ties. The gathering highlighted Biden’s personal diplomacy as the leaders discussed maritime security and countering China’s influence. As Biden’s term nears its end, he also emphasized initiatives on humanitarian missions and cancer reduction.
Biden’s Quad Summit: Quick Looks
- Indo-Pacific Focus: Biden hosted the leaders of Australia, Japan, and India to emphasize the strategic importance of the Indo-Pacific region and foster cooperation on security and humanitarian missions.
- Personal Diplomacy: The meeting took place at Biden’s home and high school, reflecting his personal approach to foreign relations.
- Key Discussions: Talks centered on maritime security, the economic and security challenges posed by China, and India’s neutral stance on Russia’s war in Ukraine.
- Farewell to Allies: The summit marked potential final meetings between Biden, Kishida, and Modi, with Biden acknowledging Kishida’s work in strengthening Japan-South Korea relations.
- China and North Korea: A strong joint statement is expected on China’s actions in the region and North Korea’s nuclear ambitions, underscoring shared security concerns.
- New Health Initiative: The leaders announced a cervical cancer collaboration in the Indo-Pacific, part of Biden’s long-standing Cancer Moonshot initiative.
- Legacy of the Quad: The formation of a Quad Caucus in Congress aims to preserve the partnership beyond Biden’s term.
Deep Look
President Joe Biden, nearing the end of his term, is showcasing his dedication to the Indo-Pacific alliance as he hosts the leaders of Australia, Japan, and India in his hometown of Wilmington, Delaware, for a Quad summit. Since taking office, Biden has elevated the Quad from a foreign minister-level forum to a leader-level strategic partnership, emphasizing the Indo-Pacific region as a focal point of U.S. foreign policy. As global attention shifts from Middle Eastern conflicts to challenges in Asia, this summit represents the fourth in-person meeting of Quad leaders and the sixth overall since 2021.
Biden added a personal touch to this weekend’s gathering by opening his Wilmington home to Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida. On Friday, he hosted Albanese at his house, and on Saturday, Kishida and Modi joined for talks at the high school Biden attended decades ago, Archmere Academy. According to Jake Sullivan, Biden’s national security adviser, this intimate setting reflects the president’s belief that diplomacy is deeply personal. “Developing personal relationships has been core to his approach to foreign policy,” Sullivan said, underscoring Biden’s commitment to building lasting connections with these world leaders.
Although much of the summit was held behind closed doors, with no press coverage of individual meetings or a scheduled press conference, the agenda included crucial discussions on maritime security, humanitarian missions, and countering China’s growing influence in the Indo-Pacific. The Quad leaders are expected to announce significant new initiatives to strengthen coast guard collaboration across the Pacific and Indian oceans, a clear response to China’s increasingly assertive behavior in these regions.
One of the key topics of discussion between Biden and Modi was India’s recent diplomatic engagements with both Russia and Ukraine. As the most prominent leader maintaining a neutral stance on Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Modi’s position continues to draw global attention. While Sullivan indicated that Biden would encourage India to support “the principles of sovereignty and territorial integrity,” he also reiterated the U.S. stance that countries should avoid supplying any resources to Russia’s war efforts.
Another pivotal conversation during the summit took place between Biden and Japanese Prime Minister Kishida, with both leaders acknowledging the importance of their recent accomplishments. Biden praised Kishida for his leadership in improving relations between Japan and South Korea, two countries with a historically complex relationship. This diplomatic success comes as North Korea continues to advance its nuclear program and China increases its destabilizing actions in the Pacific. Biden commended Kishida for showing “courage and conviction” in bridging the gap between Japan and South Korea, reinforcing the importance of regional stability.
In addition to security issues, the leaders also tackled emerging technology and economic concerns, particularly in the context of China’s influence. One area of friction between the U.S. and Japan has been Japan’s Nippon Steel’s proposed $15 billion acquisition of U.S. Steel, which Biden, along with other U.S. political figures like Kamala Harris and Donald Trump, has opposed. Although a formal review of the deal is still pending, the potential implications for U.S.-Japan economic relations added another layer of complexity to the summit.
As the leaders discussed these pressing geopolitical issues, the Biden administration also highlighted a new collaboration aimed at reducing cervical cancer in the Indo-Pacific region. This health initiative is part of Biden’s broader Cancer Moonshot project, a personal cause for the president and First Lady Jill Biden. The program has special significance for Biden, whose son Beau passed away from brain cancer in 2015. This announcement reflects Biden’s efforts to not only focus on security and economic matters but also on health and humanitarian issues that have long been close to his heart.
For Biden, this summit is not only about current foreign policy but also about his legacy. As his time in office draws to a close, the White House celebrated the bipartisan formation of a “Quad Caucus” in Congress, an initiative designed to ensure the longevity of the Indo-Pacific partnership, regardless of who wins the upcoming election. This move signals Biden’s desire to leave behind a robust framework for continued U.S. engagement in the region, even after his departure from office.
The Quad’s growing importance in global diplomacy was on full display during this summit, and as Biden, Kishida, and Modi prepare for their upcoming appearances at the United Nations General Assembly in New York, their Wilmington meeting solidified the Quad’s position as a key player in countering regional threats and advancing cooperation on a broad range of issues. While challenges remain—particularly with China’s expanding influence and the ongoing conflict in Ukraine—the Quad leaders’ discussions underscored their commitment to a strong and unified Indo-Pacific strategy.
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