Wilmington (US), Sep 22: Prime Minister Narendra Modi has said that the Quad is not against anyone, but for a rules-based international order and respect for sovereignty, in a veiled reference to China.
“Free, open, inclusive and prosperous Indo-Pacific is our priority,” Modi said in his opening remarks on Saturday at the summit hosted by President Joe Biden and also attended by Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida.
“We are not against anyone. We all support a rules-based international order, respect for sovereignty, territorial integrity, and peaceful resolution of all issues,” Modi said, without naming any country.
China is engaged in hotly contested territorial disputes in both the South China Sea and the East China Sea.
China claims sovereignty over all of the South China Sea. Vietnam, Malaysia, the Philippines, Brunei and Taiwan have counterclaims.
“Our message is clear – Quad is here to stay, to assist, to partner and to complement,” Modi said.
“Together we have taken many positive and inclusive initiatives in areas like health security, critical and emerging technologies, climate change, capacity building,” he said.
He said that the Quad leaders have gathered at a time when the world is surrounded by tensions and challenges.
“At such a time, the working together of Quad with its democratic values is significant for the entire human race,” the prime minister said.
Later, during the Quad Leaders’ Cancer Moonshot event, Modi announced the dedication of a grant of USD 7.5 million to cancer testing, screening and diagnostics in the Indo-Pacific region.
“India is ready to share its experience and expertise,” Modi said in his remarks, asserting that the grant was made under India’s vision of ‘One Earth, One Heath’. He added that India will also provide assistance in radiotherapy treatment and capacity building.
“When the Quad acts, it is not just for nations, it is for the people. This is the true essence of our human-centric approach,” he said.
This was a farewell summit for President Biden as he nears the end of his term in office.
Modi said he will be happy to host the Quad Summit in 2025.
The Quad Leaders’ Summit this year was earlier supposed to be held in India, but US President Joe Biden was keen to hold the event in his hometown.
The US, Japan, India and Australia had in 2017 given shape to the long-pending proposal of setting up the “Quad” or the Quadrilateral coalition to counter China’s aggressive behaviour in the Indo-Pacific region.
The four-member Quad, or the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue, advocates upholding a free, open, and inclusive Indo-Pacific. China claims that the grouping aims to contain its rise.
Biden fumbles again
In yet another gaffe, Biden experienced an embarrassing moment during a Quad event in Wilmington, Delaware, when he struggled to introduce Prime Minister Modi.
This brief confusion, captured on camera, has sparked comments on social media.
After finishing his speech at the Cancer Moonshot event on Saturday, Biden, 81, appeared to have forgotten the name of the next leader who was going to speak – and asked his staffers.
“So, I want to thank you all for being here. And now, who am I introducing next?” After a pause of a few seconds, he asked, this time in a louder voice, “Who’s next?” There was an awkward silence in the audience. A staff member finally pointed to the podium, leading to the introduction of Modi by the compere. “Distinguished guests, the Prime Minister of the Republic of India,” the announcer said, as Modi walked towards the podium.
Biden then put his arm around Modi’s shoulder and cracked a joke.
The embarrassing moment involving the US President, who is no stranger to public gaffes, was caught on camera and widely shared on social media.
Slamming Biden, MAGA political commentator Gunther Eagleman posted on X, “We really don’t have a president. Biden completely FORGOT he was at a press conference with the Prime Minister of India. The entire world is laughing at us. This guy is COOKED.”
The Daily Mail reported: “Joe Biden was filmed snapping at staffers after an awkward gaffe during a final meeting with a group of world leaders.” (PTI)
