Biden Welcomes Quad Leaders Amid Rising Indo-Pacific Tensions \ Newslooks \ Washington DC \ Mary Sidiqi \ Evening Edition \ President Joe Biden hosted the Quad leaders—Australia, India, and Japan—in his Delaware hometown, marking what may be the last summit of the Indo-Pacific alliance during his presidency. The gathering, held at Biden’s high school alma mater, focused on maritime security, regional stability, and countering China’s assertiveness. Biden’s relaxed one-on-one meetings with leaders emphasized shared concerns, including Russia’s war on Ukraine and improving ties between Japan and South Korea.
Biden Hosts Quad Leaders in Delaware Quick Looks
- Quad Leaders Gather in Delaware: Biden hosted Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida for the Quad Summit at his high school alma mater.
- Focus on Indo-Pacific Security: The leaders discussed initiatives to bolster maritime security and humanitarian response efforts, aiming to counter China’s growing influence in the Pacific and Indian oceans.
- Biden’s Hometown Diplomacy: Hosting the summit at his Delaware home, Biden gave a personal touch to the talks, sharing casual conversations and political stories with the leaders in a more relaxed setting.
- Biden and Kishida’s Farewell: With both Biden and Kishida soon leaving office, the summit was an opportunity for the two leaders to reflect on their strengthened alliance and shared accomplishments, including improving Japan-South Korea relations.
- Cervical Cancer Initiative Unveiled: The leaders announced a collaboration on reducing cervical cancer in the Indo-Pacific, tied to Biden’s Cancer Moonshot, a deeply personal project for the president.
Deep Look
President Joe Biden hosted a special gathering of Indo-Pacific leaders this past weekend, bringing Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida to his hometown of Wilmington, Delaware, for what could be the final Quad Summit during his presidency. The group, known as the Quad, has been elevated during Biden’s time in office as part of his strategy to pivot U.S. foreign policy toward the Indo-Pacific, focusing on threats and opportunities in the region. The summit, held at Biden’s alma mater, Archmere Academy in nearby Claymont, marks the fourth in-person Quad meeting since Biden took office.
Biden has often reflected on his time at Archmere Academy, and hosting such a significant international gathering there seemed to delight him. “I don’t think the headmaster of this school thought I’d be presiding over a meeting like this,” Biden joked during his speech. The summit featured personal moments, with each leader meeting with Biden individually at his nearby home, where the president appeared to enjoy the more informal setting.
While the summit took place in Biden’s hometown, its focus was anything but local. The Quad leaders discussed crucial issues surrounding regional security and China’s growing assertiveness. Among the initiatives announced was enhanced cooperation on maritime security, particularly in the Pacific and Indian oceans, as well as strengthened humanitarian response efforts. The talks are seen as part of a broader effort to counterbalance China’s influence, with the U.S. seeking to deepen ties with key allies in the region.
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese had the first of the one-on-one meetings with Biden, arriving in Delaware on Friday. Biden’s National Security Adviser, Jake Sullivan, described their conversation as a candid exchange, with the two leaders reflecting on their political careers and global concerns. Albanese also offered high praise to Biden, saying the visit gave him “insight into what in my view makes you such an extraordinary world leader.”
India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is often seen as a key player in the Quad’s influence, also met with Biden on Saturday morning before the group gathered for formal talks. Modi remarked that Biden’s Delaware home was the perfect setting to celebrate the Quad’s 20th anniversary, symbolizing the personal and diplomatic connections that have deepened under Biden’s leadership. The two leaders discussed Modi’s recent visits to Russia and Ukraine, as well as economic concerns tied to China. The Biden administration continues to urge countries like India to support the principles of sovereignty and territorial integrity in light of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, with the White House emphasizing that nations should refrain from aiding Russia’s war efforts.
One of the most significant aspects of the summit was the farewell exchange between Biden and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, as both leaders are set to step down from office amid waning public support in their respective countries. Their meeting served as an opportunity to reflect on their joint efforts to improve Japan-South Korea relations, a critical diplomatic achievement amid rising tensions in the Pacific. Biden commended Kishida for his “courage and conviction” in strengthening these ties, which have historically been strained due to the complex and difficult history between Japan and South Korea. Their cooperation has become increasingly important as both countries face threats from North Korea’s nuclear program and Chinese territorial ambitions.
The Quad also addressed another shared concern: China’s aggressive actions in the region. The four leaders released a joint statement promising to continue efforts to counteract China’s “coercive and destabilizing activities” in the Indo-Pacific. They also discussed the ongoing war in Ukraine, with Biden and Kishida reaffirming their support for Ukraine in its fight against Russian aggression.
Additionally, the summit offered Biden an opportunity to promote his longstanding passion project, the Cancer Moonshot Initiative. As part of the Quad’s collaboration, the leaders unveiled a new initiative focused on reducing cervical cancer in the Indo-Pacific region. The announcement was tied to Biden’s broader goal of reducing cancer deaths, a mission that became deeply personal for the president after the loss of his son Beau to brain cancer in 2015.
As Biden’s time in office draws to a close, the Quad appears poised to continue its mission beyond his presidency. The White House announced the creation of a bipartisan “Quad Caucus” in Congress, designed to ensure the longevity of the partnership, regardless of the outcome of the upcoming presidential election. Biden also expressed confidence that the Quad would continue to grow in prominence, asserting that the alliance “will survive way beyond November.”
While Biden and Kishida’s political futures may be uncertain, the legacy of the Quad partnership seems secure. As the leaders departed Wilmington, they left behind a renewed sense of cooperation and commitment to shared goals, particularly in countering threats in the Indo-Pacific and ensuring stability in a rapidly changing world.
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