PM Modi says the Quad is united by their democratic values; aims at 'Communist China'
13 Mar 2021 12:13:30
New Delhi, Mar 13: The first ever Leaders' summit of the Quad was concluded on Mar 12 between the Prime minister of India Narendra Modi, US President Joe Biden, Japan Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga and Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison. The meeting was not only the Leaders' meet between the quadrilateral but also the first meeting of US President Joe Biden after taking control of his office in Jan 2021, with the Quad.
Considering the prevailing conditions regarding the COVID 19 pandemic, the event took place virtually, where US President Joe Biden was also joined by Vice President Kamla Harris for the meet. The involvement of US Vice President as well in the meet along with President Biden and the fact the meet was initiated by US President himself, clearly indicates the significance that the Quad has for US in the geo-politics in the Indo-pacific region.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi in his opening remarks for the summit said, "We are united by our democratic values, and our commitment to a free, open and inclusive Indo-Pacific." The Prime Minister informed that the Quad's agenda for the summit will be covering areas like vaccines, climate change and emerging technologies that will work for global goodwill. PM Modi further added, "I see this positive vision as an extension of India's ancient philosophy of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam, which regards the world as one family."
He said that the Quad will work together and closer than ever before, for advancing their shared values and promoting a secure, stable and prosperous Indo-Pacific. PM Modi also stated that' "Today’s summit meeting shows that the Quad has come of age and it will now remain an important pillar of stability in the Indo-Pacific region."
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According to the discussion that took place between the leaders, in order to ensure whether vaccines have been made available to the people, the Quad partners will launch a landmark partnership to further accelerate the end of the COVID 19 pandemic. Their commitment will be implemented by the launch of a senior-level Quad Vaccine Experts Group, comprised of top scientists and officials from all the govts.
Prioritizing the challenges put forth because of increasing climate change, the Quad will establish a new Quad Climate Working Group. The Quad leaders also recognized that a free, open, inclusive, and resilient Indo-Pacific requires that critical and emerging technology is governed and operated according to shared interests and values. In the same line, Quad has also decided to convene a Critical and Emerging Technology Working Group