INDIA: On Friday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Joe Biden stressed the significance of the Quad Alliance in promoting a free, open, inclusive, and robust Indo-Pacific region.
Following their bilateral discussions, a joint statement was issued in which it was mentioned that the Prime Minister eagerly anticipates hosting President Biden at the upcoming Quad Leaders’ Summit in India in 2024.
The Quad, consisting of India, the US, Japan, and Australia, has been actively working together to ensure a free and open Indo-Pacific, particularly in response to China’s growing muscle-flexing in the area.
The joint statement was released following in-depth discussions between Modi and Biden to advance bilateral economic and people-to-people ties. The prime minister stated that the two countries’ partnership will continue to be very important for advancing the common good of the world.
“India hailed the United States’ decision to co-lead the Trade Connectivity and Maritime Transport Pillar within the Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative (IPOI) following the U.S.’s decision to join IPOI in June 2023,” it stated.
This marks President Biden’s inaugural visit to India since assuming office, with the previous visit by a U.S. President being Donald Trump in February 2020.
President Biden reiterated his support for a reformed UN Security Council with India as a permanent member and, in this context, once again welcomed India’s candidature for the UNSC non-permanent seat in 2028–2029, as per the statement. He continued to share the belief that global governance must be more inclusive and representative.
The leaders also highlighted the need to enhance and reform the multilateral system to align more effectively with current global dynamics and remain committed to a comprehensive United Nations reform agenda, which includes the expansion of both permanent and non-permanent membership categories within the UN Security Council.
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