'Quad Summit' having leaders of India, Australia, Japan and the US, met virtually on Friday and discussed issues like coronavirus vaccines, climate change and emerging technologies.
In the first meeting of the Indo-Pacific alliance - Quad - the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) informed, it has been agreed upon that American Covid vaccines will be manufactured in India with the financial support of Japan and logistical support by Australia.
Quad decided to expand the coronavirus vaccine manufacturing capacity in India with all the leaders being firm with the commitment. It is being reported that India is likely to increase its manufacturing capacity by 1 billion doses by next year. Currently, India manufactures two vaccines - Covieshield and Covaxin - to battle the coronavirus.
Asserting that “Quad has come of age and will remain an important pillar of stability in the Indo-Pacific region”, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said the four nations are “united by their democratic values”.
“Our agenda today - covering areas like vaccines, climate change and emerging technologies - makes the Quad a force for global good,” said Prime Minister Modi in his address at the First Quad Leaders’ Virtual Summit.
Prime Minister Modi said the Quad group of nations “will work together closely as ever before for advancing shared values and promoting secular, stable and prosperous Indo-Pacific”.
“I see this positive vision as an extension of India's ancient philosophy of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam, which regards the world as one family,” he added.
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The leaders discussed regional and global issues of shared interest and exchanged views on practical areas of cooperation towards maintaining a free, open and inclusive Indo-Pacific region.
An Indo-Pacific alliance 'Quad' held its first meeting which was attended by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, US President Joe Biden, Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison and Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga.