Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent meetings with global leaders, including the QUAD Leaders’ Summit and multiple bilateral engagements, underscored India’s commitment to global growth, development, peace, and security.

Addressing QUAD leaders, Modi reiterated India’s vision for a peaceful, democratic, and technologically driven future, emphasizing India’s critical role in shaping a stable global order. Through his engagements, India’s leadership in fostering cooperation and mitigating global challenges, especially in the Indo-Pacific region, was firmly spotlighted.

India’s Global Stance in the Quad Summit

India’s pivotal role in the Quad Leadership Summit, hosted by US President Joe Biden in Wilmington, Delaware, showcased its commitment to fostering cooperation among Indo-Pacific partners.

At a special media briefing at the end of the Summit and bilateral talks, according to Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri, Prime Minister Modi effectively presented India’s approach to global peace, security, and development. During the Quad Summit and bilateral meetings with Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, and President Biden, Modi emphasized India’s efforts in leveraging democratic values, good governance, and technological advancements to counter global challenges.

“In all of these engagements, Prime Minister Modi had the opportunity to put forward India’s views and commitments for global growth, development, and peace and security,” Misri remarked, underscoring Modi’s consistency in addressing global issues. Misri further highlighted India’s efforts to minimize global conflicts and its vision of utilizing technology for positive governance outcomes, rather than allowing it to be misused for disruptive purposes.

Strengthening Bilateral Ties with Global Powers

Prime Minister Modi’s bilateral meetings with key leaders allowed him to deepen India’s strategic partnerships. His bilateral engagement with President Biden was especially notable for the return of 297 antiquities to India, a gesture that symbolizes the cultural ties between the two countries. Modi praised Biden for his leadership in strengthening the Quad and thanked him for hosting the summit, noting that “the Quad has become a symbol of quick unified assistance delivery.”

During the meeting, Modi and Biden discussed the India-US Comprehensive Global Strategic Partnership, which has significantly expanded in recent years. Topics of discussion included cooperation in defense, clean energy, space, and technology, particularly in critical and emerging technologies. Modi expressed his appreciation for Biden’s support, acknowledging the president’s “pioneering role in strengthening the India-US partnership over the last four years.”

The conversation with Japan’s Prime Minister Kishida was equally important, as the two leaders reflected on the 10th anniversary of the India-Japan Special Strategic and Global Partnership, which will be celebrated in 2025. Modi lauded Kishida’s contributions to bilateral relations, as well as the economic and defense cooperation agreements forged between the two nations.

Modi’s discussion with Australian Prime Minister Albanese revolved around the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between India and Australia, particularly emphasizing the progress made under the Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement (ECTA). The two countries also explored deeper collaboration in defense, security, space, and critical minerals.

India’s Role in the Indo-Pacific and Quad’s Initiatives

At the Quad Summit, the focus was on building a secure, resilient, and cooperative Indo-Pacific region. Modi stressed the importance of collaboration in maritime safety, emphasizing the need to prevent the malign use of technology. The Quad leadership launched several critical initiatives, such as the Quad Cancer Moonshot, which will tackle cervical cancer, and the Quad at Sea Ship Observer Mission, aimed at enhancing maritime safety.

The Quad Ports of the Future Partnership was another significant step, designed to promote sustainable and resilient port infrastructure development. Modi’s emphasis on such infrastructure is reflective of India’s broader efforts to lead in sustainable development across the Indo-Pacific, an approach supported by the collective efforts of Quad members.