President Joe Biden hosted the leaders of Australia, Japan, and India at his hometown in Delaware on Saturday, showcasing the strengthened Indo-Pacific partnership he has nurtured since taking office. This fourth in-person and sixth overall gathering of the Quad leaders since 2021 aims to bolster maritime security, humanitarian response, and economic cooperation in the region.
The summit, potentially the last before Biden leaves office, featured a personal touch with Biden welcoming each leader to his home and hosting a joint meeting and formal dinner at his alma mater, Archmere Academy. Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida attended the meetings before heading to the United Nations General Assembly in New York.
Discussions centered on countering China’s assertiveness, enhancing coast guard collaboration, and improving humanitarian response missions. Biden also addressed economic and security concerns about China with Modi and underscored the importance of supporting sovereignty and territorial integrity in Ukraine. The leaders reaffirmed their commitment to promoting a free and open Indo-Pacific, underscoring the significance of the Quad partnership in maintaining regional stability.
The meeting provided an opportunity for Biden and Kishida to bid each other farewell, as both leaders are stepping away from office amid sliding public support. Biden commended Kishida for strengthening ties with South Korea, a significant accomplishment amidst worrying developments in the Pacific, including North Korea’s nuclear advancements and China’s growing assertiveness.
The leaders are set to announce new initiatives and issue a joint statement with strong language on China and North Korea. Additionally, they will unveil a collaboration aimed at reducing cervical cancer in the Indo-Pacific as part of Biden’s Cancer Moonshot Initiative. This initiative, a long-running passion project of the president and his wife, Jill Biden, aims to reduce cancer deaths.
The White House celebrated the bipartisan, bicameral formation of a “Quad Caucus” in Congress, ensuring the longevity of the partnership regardless of the November election outcome. This development underscores the commitment to enhancing cooperation among the Quad nations and promoting regional stability.
As Biden’s time in office draws to a close, the summit highlighted his legacy in fostering strong relationships with key Indo-Pacific partners. The Quad partnership has emerged as a vital component of US foreign policy, addressing pressing regional challenges and promoting economic cooperation.
