First Quad Summit: PM Modi To Join Top US, Japan & Australia Leaders To Counter China In Indo-Pacific

Quad leaders' virtual summit to be held on March 12. Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi will virtually meet Australia PM Scott Morrison, Japan PM Yoshihide Suga and US President Joseph R. Biden amid rising global concerns over China's growing assertiveness in the region.

Pic Courtesy: AFP

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to participate in the first ever ‘Quadrilateral Security Dialogue’, also known as the Quad leaders' virtual summit scheduled for March 12 with top leaders of the US, Japan and Australia in a bid to further expand cooperation in the Indo-Pacific amid rising global concerns over China's growing assertiveness in the region.

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) in an official statement said, "Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi will be participating, along with Prime Minister of Australia Scott Morrison and Prime Minister of Japan Yoshihide Suga and President of U.S.A. Joseph R. Biden, in the first Leaders’ Summit of the Quadrilateral Framework."

The centre in a release said that the four leaders will discuss regional and global issues of shared interest, and exchange views on practical areas of cooperation towards maintaining a free, open and inclusive Indo-Pacific region.

The leaders will also discuss the ongoing efforts to combat Covid-19 pandemic and explore opportunities for collaboration in ensuring safe, equitable and affordable vaccines in the Indo-Pacific region.

"The Summit will provide an opportunity to exchange views on contemporary challenges such as resilient supply chains, emerging and critical technologies, maritime security, and climate change," the statement added.

Ahead of the meeting, PM Modi on Monday held a telephonic conversation with Yoshihide, after which, the Indian leader expressed satisfaction at the positive momentum in India-Japan Special Strategic and Global Partnership.

"Had a fruitful conversation with PM Suga Yoshihide on the progress of India-Japan Special Strategic and Global Partnership.” PM Modi said in a Tweet.

The two leaders discussed deepening collaboration bilaterally as well as under the Quad framework to enhance cooperation in the Indo-Pacific region.