PM Modi assures of Quad's future as India prepares to host Summit in 2025

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday (Sep 21) attended the Quad Summit at US President Joe Biden'shome residence in Wilmington, Delaware where he firmed up a multi-billion drone deal with Washington while assuring about the future of the powerful alliance.

During his opening remarks alongside Biden, Australian Prime Minister Antony Albanese and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, PM Modi highlighted how the alliance had come so far since the first official summit in 2021.

"It gives me immense pleasure to participate at this Quad Summit during my third term. Under your leadership, the first summit (QUAD) of 2021 was organised. In such a short time, we have expanded our cooperation in an unprecedented way in every direction,” PM Modi said.

“You have played a very important role in this. I thank you from the bottom of my heart for your strong commitment and contribution to Quad," he added.

"Our message is clear- the Quad is here to stay, to assist, to partner and to complement. I once again greet President Biden and all my colleagues. We will be happy to organize the Quad Leaders Summit in India in 2025," he added, expressing India’s readiness to host the next Quad Summit in 2025.

Watch |Quad Summit: Indian PM Modi meets US, Japanese and Australian leaders

Talks fruitful

PM Modi also remarked about his talks with President Biden on the sidelines of the Quad Summit, terming it as "extremely fruitful".

"I thank President Biden for hosting me at his residence in Greenville, Delaware. Our talks were extremely fruitful. We had the opportunity to discuss regional and global issues during the meeting," said PM Modi in a statement posted on X (formerly Twitter).

I thank President Biden for hosting me at his residence in Greenville, Delaware. Our talks were extremely fruitful. We had the opportunity to discuss regional and global issues during the meeting. @JoeBiden pic.twitter.com/WzWW3fudTn — Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) September 21, 2024

Meanwhile, Biden lauded his Indian counterpart for his ability to 'find new areas of cooperation'.

The United States' partnership with India is stronger, closer, and more dynamic than any time in history.

Prime Minister Modi, each time we sit down, I'm struck by our ability to find new areas of cooperation. Today was no different. pic.twitter.com/TdcIpF23mV — President Biden (@POTUS) September 21, 2024

A US-India joint statementhighlighted key areas of cooperation, including defence, economic, clean energy, global health, and development.

These areas include agreements on defence procurement, aviation, clean energy, public health, and cultural property protection.

Notably, the procurement of31 MQ-9B Sky Guardian and Sea Guardian drones by New Delhi was also discussed during the meeting. India has been in the process of acquiring the drones in a nearly $3 billion deal which will help it heighten thesurveillance apparatus of the armed forces, especially along the frontier with China.

(With inputs from agencies)