Over the weekend, President Biden of the United States will be hosting leaders of the Quad grouping at his home in Wilmington, Delaware. White House officials indicate that the leaders will also discuss the future of the Quad mechanism, with expectations for further institutionalization of the group.
According to US officials, Biden will hold bilateral meetings at his residence with Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese.
The formal Quad summit and dinner are scheduled for Saturday (September 21) at Archmere Academy, Biden’s alma mater.
Mira Rapp-Hooper, Senior Director for East Asia and Oceania Affairs at the National Security Council, told the media that this meeting will also involve the release of announcements regarding the institutionalization of the Quad grouping.
She stated, “You will see signs that the Quad is not just an initiative of a particular government or country, but rather an initiative intended to continue in the long term.”
Rapp-Hooper mentioned that the four leaders will dedicate significant time to discussing the next steps for the Quad. For example, she highlighted that “further expanding extensive cooperation on the Indian Ocean issue is definitely a new chapter we are looking forward to.”
US Deputy Secretary of State Kurt Campbell informed Congress on Wednesday that the US and India will soon engage in dialogue on Indian Ocean issues.
In 2021, Biden elevated the Quad grouping to a platform for dialogue among leaders. This will be the sixth Quad summit during the Biden administration and the fourth meeting among the leaders.
Rapp-Hooper emphasized, “This group has achieved unprecedented strategic coordination, bringing substantial tangible benefits to the Indo-Pacific region.”
She added, “Quad has become a leading regional grouping, and the President is proud of it. He and the Quad partners believe that the primary task for at least the next few years should be to institutionalize the Quad and ensure its deep roots in the Indo-Pacific region.”
When asked about the contents of the Quad meeting, White House National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby stated that the challenges posed by China would definitely be a significant agenda item.
“In fact, not addressing the challenges that still exist in the region, including aggressive military actions by the PRC, unfair trade practices, and tensions in the Taiwan Strait, would be irresponsible,” Kirby said.
On Wednesday, Campbell also candidly remarked that the challenges posed by China to the US have surpassed those of the Cold War era.
During a hearing at the House Foreign Affairs Committee, Campbell stated, “To be blunt, compared to the multifaceted challenges posed by [Communist] China, the Cold War pales in comparison. This challenge is not only military; it is comprehensive, it reaches into the Global South, it reaches into technology.”
This year’s annual Quad leaders meeting was initially planned to be hosted by India. Rapp-Hooper mentioned that after Biden decided not to seek reelection, Modi “generously agreed” to swap hosting rights.
She explained that this way Biden can host the final Quad meeting in his hometown, while India can prepare to host the new leaders of the US and Japan next year.
In addition to discussing health security, humanitarian and disaster response, maritime security, high-quality infrastructure, key emerging technologies, climate, and cyber security issues, the leaders will also spend considerable time deliberating on “strategic issues in the Indo-Pacific region” and delve into the tense situation between China and the Philippines in the South China Sea, as well as cooperation issues involving North Korea and Russia.