• International Relations

    Biden indicates Modi to lead Quad at his last summit

    European Newsdesk Posted on

    Joe Biden was caught on a hot mic telling the leaders of Australia, India, and Japan that an assertive China is “testing us,” during his last Quad summit, remarks that could undermine the group’s carefully worded declaration, which avoided mentioning Beijing directly. He humorously indicated that despite who wins the November elections, India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi would continue the Quad’s efforts. This is Biden and Japanese Prime Minister Kishida’s last Quad summit.

    The comments were made as Biden hosted a farewell summit in his hometown of Wilmington, Delaware, with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, and Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese. Modi echoed Biden’s sentiment, stating, “The Quad is here to stay,” a commitment likely welcomed by Washington, Canberra, and Tokyo as they strengthen ties with the historically non-aligned New Delhi. Modi is set to host the next Quad summit in India.

    Biden, who stepped out of the U.S. presidential race in July due to concerns over his age, added personal touches to his final summit. The event was held at his former high school in Wilmington, and he invited the leaders to private, one-on-one discussions at his home. “I am really pleased you could visit my home and see where I grew up,” Biden said.

    During the summit, the leaders announced investments in cervical cancer research as part of Biden’s Cancer Moonshot initiative, a project deeply personal to him following the death of his eldest son, Beau, from brain cancer. The media were excluded from the private talks at Biden’s home, though Biden shared photos on social media of informal moments with Albanese and Kishida, showing them the view of a lake from his veranda.

    The White House emphasized that the summit reflected Biden’s commitment to international alliances. However, questions are mounting about what might happen if former President Donald Trump, known for his isolationist policies and praise for the leaders of Russia and North Korea, returns to the White House. Trump has previously threatened to withdraw the U.S. from international groups such as NATO.

    In his remarks, Biden noted China’s aggressive behavior across the region, from the South China Sea to the Taiwan Straits, while acknowledging Chinese President Xi Jinping’s focus on domestic economic issues. He pointed to recent diplomatic efforts by the U.S. to ease tensions, including an April phone call with Xi, which he said helped prevent conflict.

    While Biden’s candid comments about China risked undermining the summit’s diplomatic tone, the Quad leaders’ joint statement did not mention China directly. Instead, they expressed concern about tensions in the East and South China Seas, condemning “coercive and intimidating maneuvers” without naming any specific country. Long-standing territorial disputes between China and Japan over islands in the East China Sea were also highlighted, though in similarly veiled terms.

    The looming U.S. presidential election in November also cast a shadow over the summit, with Biden’s political heir, Kamala Harris, locked in a tight race against Trump. Nevertheless, Biden assured his counterparts that the Quad would endure beyond the election. “While challenges will come, the world will change because the Quad is here to stay,” he told the leaders. Asked if the Quad would survive past the November 5 election, Biden confidently replied, “Way beyond November. Way beyond November.”

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