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Prime Minister Narendra Modi's upcoming visit to the United States holds significant implications for the Quad alliance, a strategic partnership between India, the United States, Japan, and Australia. The visit marks a crucial juncture for the group, as it will be the last time all current leaders of the alliance meet before transitions in both the US and Japan. The Quad Summit, scheduled for September 21 in Wilmington, Delaware, will mark a significant milestone - the 20th anniversary of the alliance's formation. The summit will be hosted by outgoing US President Joe Biden, who recently announced his decision not to run for a second term. Japan's Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, who also announced his intention to step down from leadership, will also be present.
The summit's location, Wilmington, Delaware, holds personal significance for President Biden, as it is his hometown. He frequently traveled from Wilmington to Washington on Amtrak during his days as a senator. The choice of location reflects the close ties between the US and India, and the importance of this particular summit. Interestingly, the US initially considered Sunnylands estate in California for the summit, a location known for hosting international leaders. The choice of Wilmington instead underscores the significance of this particular meeting, marking the end of an era for the current Quad leadership and the beginning of a new chapter with India's upcoming hosting of the 2025 summit.
Beyond the Quad Summit, Prime Minister Modi's itinerary includes a visit to New York to attend the United Nations Summit of the Future on September 22–23. He will also address a large community event, 'Modi & US Progress Together', in Long Island. Notably, Prime Minister Modi will not address the UN General Assembly, instead choosing to have India's External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar deliver the address on September 28. The decision to have Jaishankar speak at the UN General Assembly, rather than Modi himself, might be a strategic move, allowing Modi to focus more on bilateral discussions and engagements during his visit. The timing of Modi's visit, months before the US presidential elections, is also noteworthy, as it will provide an opportunity to strengthen ties with the US government and engage with political leaders ahead of the elections. While Donald Trump is seeking the Republican nomination, Kamala Harris is the Democratic nominee.
Source: Quad Summit in Delaware on September 21, India to host in 2025