The 2024 Quad Summit will be held in the United States, a change from the original plan for India to host. Scheduled for September 21 in Delaware, this adjustment allows US President Joe Biden to host the summit in his home state. This shift underscores both logistical necessities and Biden’s personal preference for the location.
India, which was set to host the summit this year, will now take its turn in 2025. This arrangement will allow Prime Minister Narendra Modi to lead the summit in New Delhi, potentially with either Donald Trump or Kamala Harris as the US President. The change resulted from complex negotiations involving Quad ‘sous sherpas,’ the officials responsible for coordinating the summit logistics.
Originally intended to coincide with the United Nations General Assembly in New York, the summit’s venue change was prompted by scheduling conflicts and political commitments. Although Prime Minister Modi will be in the US for the UN events, including addressing the Indian diaspora on September 22 at Nassau Coliseum and participating in the “Summit of the Future” at the UN on September 22-23, his speech to the UN General Assembly on September 26 has been cancelled. External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar will now speak on September 28.
Why Delaware?
The choice of Delaware for the summit reflects both strategic and personal significance for President Biden, who frequently retreats there on weekends. The final location for the summit—whether New York or Rehoboth Beach—depends on ongoing US election campaigns and domestic factors.
The Quad Summit, upgraded to a leaders’ dialogue in 2021, has faced numerous challenges this year, including the leaders’ scheduling conflicts and domestic pressures. The summit will address key issues such as maritime security, emerging technologies, and climate change, reflecting the Quad’s goals of enhancing cooperation and addressing global challenges.
Significance of this Leaders’ Summit
As Biden and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida prepare to step down, this summit provides a final opportunity for them to solidify their initiatives. India’s upcoming hosting of the summit in 2025 will be a critical moment for New Delhi to demonstrate leadership and advance strategic objectives within the Quad framework.
The relocation of the 2024 summit highlights the Quad’s adaptability and the need for flexible international cooperation. As India prepares for its role in 2025, it will have a significant opportunity to shape the future direction of this key strategic dialogue.