Japan, host of the next QUAD summit has proposed a date for the upcoming QUAD summit. Japan has proposed 24 May as the date for the next Leaders’ Summit. The dates coincide with US President Joe Biden’s visit to Tokyo. Now other members the US, Australia, and India have to agree to this date to finalize the event. The proposed date falls immediately after Australia’s general election date. Australia is going to the polls on 21 May.
According to an announcement by the White House, the US President would be visiting South Korea and Japan from 20-24 May. President Biden will also attend the summit of the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue in the Japanese capital. As announced by the White House, President will also hold bilateral meetings with South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol, Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
According to reports, Japan had earlier proposed to organize the meeting in April. However, Australia, which is going to have general polls on May 21 and as reports suggest the incumbent prime minister is facing a tough challenge, had raised its concerns.
If the dates are finalized there will much speculation about the agenda of the meeting, as the head of governments of the membership will meet for the first time after the Ukraine-Russia crisis unfolded.
This is also going to be the first physical meeting between Prime Minister Modi and President Biden after the events in Europe. Modi and Biden had met at September 2021 QUAD summit and also attended a virtual meet on March 3.
Modi in his previous meetings has emphasized the process of dialogue and diplomacy to resolve the Ukraine-Russia crisis.
Modi has earlier highlighted that within the Quad the focus areas should be humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, debt sustainability, supply chains, clean energy, and connectivity.
This summit is crucial for the US to highlight its commitment to the Indo-Pacific region.
According to a statement by the White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki, “This trip will advance the Biden-Harris Administration’s rock-solid commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific.”
The Secretary added that “The leaders will discuss opportunities to deepen our vital security relationships, enhance economic ties and expand our close cooperation to deliver practical results. In Tokyo, President Biden will also meet the leaders of the Quad grouping of Australia, Japan, India, and the United States. We look forward to having further details to share about this trip soon.”.
