PM Modi arrives in US to attend Quad Summit

New Delhi, Sep 21: Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Philadelphia late Saturday evening Indian time, marking the beginning of his high-level engagements in the United States. According to the Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson, Randhir Jaiswal, the Prime Minister’s itinerary includes a series of meetings in both bilateral and Quad formats.

“PM @narendramodi arrives in the historic city of Philadelphia. An action-packed day with engagements in bilateral and Quad formats in Wilmington, Delaware lies ahead,” Jaiswal stated in a message.

Shortly after his arrival, Prime Minister Modi took to X (formerly Twitter) to share his thoughts on the day’s upcoming events. “Landed in Philadelphia. Today’s programme will be focused on the Quad Summit and the bilateral meeting with @POTUS @JoeBiden. I am sure the discussions throughout the day will contribute to making our planet better and addressing key global challenges,” he posted.

The Prime Minister’s visit is expected to include crucial discussions aimed at strengthening the strategic partnership between India and the United States, as well as enhancing cooperation within the Quad grouping, which includes the United States, India, Japan, and Australia.

Prime Minister Modi arrived on a 3-day visit to participate in the Quad Summit, hosted by President Joe Biden in Wilmington, Delaware to foster peace, stability, and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region.

The meeting of the QUAD has been swapped by India to  be hosted by United States. India will host the summit in 2025.

The Prime Minister’s visit will also include a bilateral meeting with President Biden, during which the two leaders will review the India-US Comprehensive Global Strategic Partnership.

The Quad, which includes India, Australia, Japan, and the United States, aims to act as a force for global good and support an open, free, and inclusive Indo-Pacific that is prosperous and resilient. Since its elevation to the leaders’ level in 2021, the Quad has tackled a variety of regional challenges through its six leader-level working groups focusing on climate, critical and emerging technologies, cyber security, health security, infrastructure, and space.

In the previous Quad Leaders’ Summits, significant progress was made across various domains that included the Quad Vaccine Partnership, the Quad Satellite Data Portal, and the Quad Clean Energy Supply Chains Initiative. The forum has also launched multiple collaborative efforts to strengthen regional infrastructure, promote digital connectivity, and enhance cyber resilience.

The fifth Quad Leaders’ Summit, held in Hiroshima in May 2023, produced the “Quad Leaders’ Vision Statement – Enduring Partners for the Indo-Pacific,” outlining the shared vision of upholding the principles of sovereignty, territorial integrity, and peaceful resolution of disputes in the region.

India will host the Quad Leaders’ Summit in 2025, further reinforcing its role in shaping the region’s future. The Quad Foreign Ministers’ Meetings, held periodically, have also been pivotal in driving forward the forum’s agenda. The most recent meeting took place on July 29, 2024, in Tokyo, where ministers reaffirmed their commitment to advancing cooperation on shared priorities.

As the Quad continues to expand its collaborative efforts, the upcoming summit in Wilmington is expected to solidify the group’s position as a key pillar of stability and cooperation in the Indo-Pacific.

Prime Minister to Address Summit of the Future at UN General Assembly

Additionally, PM Modi is scheduled to address the Summit of the Future at the United Nations General Assembly in New York, where he will highlight India’s vision for a sustainable and resilient global future.

The Summit, themed “Multilateral Solutions for a Better Tomorrow,” aims to outline a global roadmap for the betterment of humanity. Secretary-General António Guterres has called the SoTF a “once-in-a-generation UN Summit,” marking an important milestone as the UN approaches its 80th anniversary in 2025.

During the Summit, PM Modi will address the forenoon session on September 23, sharing perspectives from India, home to one-sixth of the world’s population, emphasising the nation’s stakes in a peaceful and secure future.

The SoTF’s outcome document, titled “Pact for the Future,” will include two annexes: the Global Digital Compact and the Declaration on Future Generations.

In addition to participating in the Summit, PM Modi will hold bilateral meetings on the sidelines, including discussions aimed at further strengthening the comprehensive global strategic partnership between India and the United States.

This partnership, underpinned by shared democratic values and converging interests across various sectors, is reinforced by strong people-to-people ties, with the Indian diaspora playing a pivotal role in deepening these relations.

The visit will also involve engagements with the Indian diaspora and American business leaders, who play a pivotal role in strengthening the bond between the world’s largest and oldest democracies.

Approximately 4.4 million people of Indian origin reside in the US, making them one of the most successful and diverse communities in the country. They have been instrumental in fostering closer ties between the two nations, with five individuals of Indian origin currently serving in the US Congress.

Following the SoTF, the General Debate of the 79th session of the UNGA will take place from September 24 to 30, under the theme “Leaving no one behind: acting together for the advancement of peace, sustainable development, and human dignity for present and future generations.” India’s External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar will participate in the General Debate, delivering the national statement and engaging in bilateral and cross-regional dialogues.