Washington: United States President Joe Biden placed his hand on Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s shoulder as he asserted that Quad would survive “way beyond November”. His reaction came after a reporter shouted a question at US President Joe Biden on Saturday, asking if the Quad would survive beyond the election in November.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, US President Joe Biden, Prime Minister of Australia, Anthony Albanese, and Japan Prime Minister Fumio Kishida on Saturday met for the 4th in-person Quad Leaders' Summit in Wilmington, Delaware. The leaders were all smiles as they posed for the media.
Indian Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, also echoed the same sentiment when he said that Quad is ‘here to stay’ and is ‘not against anyone’. In a subtle reference to China, PM Modi said leaders of Quad seek a rules-based international order and respect for sovereignty, in a veiled reference to China.
#WATCH | Wilmington, US: When asked will the Quad survive beyond the elections in November, US President Joe Biden says, “Way beyond November.” (Source: ANI/DD News) pic.twitter.com/BbOqVpp5XT
— ANI (@ANI) September 21, 2024
QUAD Issues Joint Statement
The leaders of the United States, Australia, India and Japan issued a joint statement after a summit on Saturday that said that they were "seriously concerned" over tensions in the South and East China Seas. In a joint statement after their talks, the leaders announced plans to deepen maritime cooperation in the Asia Pacific, including the launch of joint coastguard operations next year “to improve interoperability and advance maritime safety”.
"We are seriously concerned about the situation in the East and South China Seas," they said in a declaration after meeting in US President Joe Biden's hometown.
The statement read, "…We are seriously concerned about the situation in the East and South China Seas. We continue to express our serious concern about the militarization of disputed features, and coercive and intimidating maneuvers in the South China Sea."
It added, "We condemn the dangerous use of coast guard and maritime militia vessels, including increasing use of dangerous maneuvers. We also oppose efforts to disrupt other countries’ offshore resource exploitation activities. We reaffirm that maritime disputes must be resolved peacefully and in accordance with international law, as reflected in UNCLOS…."
The leaders asserted that they are of strong conviction that international law, including respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity, along with the maintenance of peace, safety, security, and stability in the maritime domain, should be kept at the topmost priority.