Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday described the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (Quad) as a force of “Global Good” and added that the grouping is here to “stay, partner and contribute”.
In veiled reference to China, Modi said the Quad is not against anyone, but for a rules-based international order and respect for sovereignty.
"We are not against anyone. We all support a rules-based international order, respect for sovereignty, territorial integrity, and peaceful resolution of all issues," as he addressed the annual summit hosted by President Joe Biden and also attended by Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida.
The summit was held at Wilmington, Biden’s hometown.
Held extensive discussions with PM Albanese. We seek to add even more momentum in areas like trade, security, space and culture. India greatly cherishes the time tested friendship with Australia. @AlboMP pic.twitter.com/Bo4kzd8QwY
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) September 22, 2024
"Our message is clear -- Quad is here to stay, to assist, to partner and to contribute," Modi said.
In a post on X, the external affairs ministry said the prime minister reaffirmed India’s commitment to the Quad cooperation for a free and open Indo-Pacific. “Quad will continue to assist the region's development priorities and accelerate the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals," it said.
According to the MEA, India has agreed to host the next Quad summit in 2025. New Delhi had agreed to host the event this year, but the schedules of the leaders attending the summit did not permit it to so.
Held extensive discussions with PM Albanese. We seek to add even more momentum in areas like trade, security, space and culture. India greatly cherishes the time tested friendship with Australia. @AlboMP pic.twitter.com/Bo4kzd8QwY
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) September 22, 2024
Modi in his address said the Quad leaders have gathered at a time when the world is surrounded by tensions and challenges.
"Together we have taken many positive and inclusive initiatives in areas like health security, critical and emerging technologies, climate change, capacity building," he said.
USD 7.5 million to fight cervical cancer
Later, during the Cancer Moonshot event in Delaware, Modi highlighted the initiatives taken by India to fight cervical cancer and said the country is ready to share its experience and expertise.
Cancer Moonshott is an initiative of the White House to bring renewed leadership to the fight against cancer, facilitate new collaborations, and drive progress across the cancer journey utilizing all facets of the oncology community.
Cooperation in healthcare- a key Quad priority.
— Randhir Jaiswal (@MEAIndia) September 21, 2024
PM @narendramodi participated in the Quad Cancer Moonshot event today.
The four leaders committed to detection, prevention and treatment of cervical cancer in the Indo-Pacific region.
In keeping with 🇮🇳’s vision of ONE WORLD,… pic.twitter.com/n1XVrI3dtx
Modi called for an integrated approach of prevention, screening, diagnosis, and treatment to reduce the cancer burden.
During the COVID pandemic, we had taken the Quad Vaccine initiative for the Indo-Pacific and I am glad that in the Quad, we have decided to jointly tackle challenges like cervical cancer. In cancer care, collaboration is essential for cure," he said.
Modi also noted that a very cost-effective cervical cancer screening program is being carried out in the country.
“India has also developed its own vaccine for cervical cancer and new treatment protocols are also being introduced with the help of Artificial Intelligence," he said.
