‘Not Against Anyone, Here To Stay’: In Veiled Reference To China, PM Modi’s ‘Clear Message’ On Quad

Prime Minister Narendra Modi kicked-off the Quad summit in Wilmington, Delaware by saying that the Quadrilateral coalition is ‘here to stay’ and is ‘not against anybody’ in inaugural remarks on Saturday (local time).

He said leaders of Quad stand for a rules-based international order and respect for sovereignty, in a veiled reference to China.

The Prime Minister also said that the group wants ‘peaceful resolution to ongoing conflicts’ as it meets at a time when the world is seeing several disputes.

“The QUAD’s working together on the basis of shared democratic values ​​is very important for the entire humanity. We are not against anyone. We all support rules-based international order, respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity, and peaceful resolution of all issues,” PM Modi said.

“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 organise the QUAD Leaders Summit in India in 2025,” he further added.

The Quad Leaders’ Summit this year was earlier supposed to be held in India, but US President Joe Biden was keen to hold the event in his hometown.

This was a farewell summit for Biden as he nears the end of his term in office.

The Quad Leaders’ Summit this year was earlier supposed to be held in India, but US President Joe Biden was keen to hold the event in his hometown.

The US, Japan, India and Australia had in 2017 given shape to the long-pending proposal of setting up the “Quad” or the Quadrilateral coalition to counter China’s aggressive behaviour in the Indo-Pacific region.

The four-member Quad, or the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue, advocates upholding a free, open, and inclusive Indo-Pacific. China claims that the grouping aims to contain its rise.