Joe Biden affirms the enduring nature of the alliance between the US, Australia, India, and Japan, vowing to strengthen the partnership.
The leaders of Australia, India, Japan, and the United States are convening in Wilmington, Delaware, hosted by US President Joe Biden, to bolster their Quad alliance in the face of increasing competition with China.
Biden warmly welcomed his counterparts to Wilmington on Saturday for the annual summit, outlining plans to deepen the alliance, such as the introduction of a new framework for cooperation among the coastguards of the four nations.
“Despite inevitable challenges and changing global circumstances, the Quad is a steadfast entity,” Biden asserted.
Originally established in 2007 as the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue, the Quad temporarily disbanded due to objections from China. It was revived in 2017, and under Biden’s leadership, efforts were made to amplify its significance as the US sought to counteract China’s influence in the Asia Pacific region.
In 2021, the group’s first leaders’ summit was conducted virtually, followed by a physical meeting a year later at the White House hosted by Biden. Last year’s gathering took place in Hiroshima, Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida’s hometown.
During the recent summit, there was no direct mention of China in the opening statements. Yet, the leaders portrayed themselves as advocates of democratic values and upholders of international standards in the Asia Pacific region.
“We all uphold an international order based on established rules, respect for sovereignty, and peaceful resolutions to conflicts,” stated Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
“Our collective priority and shared commitment are towards a free, open, inclusive, and prosperous Indo-Pacific,” he added.
Issues of sovereignty have been raised against India for targeting dissidents globally, while criticisms have been leveled at the Biden administration for unequivocal support of Israel despite documented violations in the Middle East.
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese emphasized the significance of national sovereignty in his address in Delaware, highlighting the importance of peace, stability, and strategic competition management in the region.
“Partnerships like the Quad play a pivotal role in facilitating discussions about shared responsibilities and objectives,” he remarked.
While the Biden administration has concentrated on conflicts in Ukraine and Gaza in its foreign policy agenda, senior US officials have underscored the escalating rivalry with China as a primary foreign policy concern.
Tensions between Washington and Beijing have escalated due to a multitude of factors, including trade disputes, Taiwan’s status, claims in the South China Sea, and accusations of espionage and cyberattacks.
The US has cautioned China against providing military support to Russia in the Ukraine conflict.
Recently, US Deputy Secretary of State Kurt Campbell described the competition with China as the most significant challenge in US history, a statement that was rebuked by Beijing.
“China urges the US to move away from Cold War and zero-sum mentalities, to cease propounding the ‘China threat’ narrative, and to interpret China’s strategic intentions correctly,” said Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson Lin Jian.
