PM Modi’s Important Visit to the US for Quad Summit and Meetings with World Leaders

Dhruva Jaishankar, Executive Director of Observer Research Foundation (ORF) America, emphasized the significance of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to the United States for the Quad Summit. The visit was crucial for consolidating the progress made by the Quad over the past four years.

Speaking about the visit, Jaishankar said, “I think it was about consolidating a lot that has been done in the past four years by the Quad. That was the main thing. There were a few new initiatives, including the Coast Guard initiative… But largely, I think it was about consolidating those gains.”

One notable initiative is the Quad-at-Sea Ship Observer Mission, planned for 2025, to improve maritime security and interoperability among the US Coast Guard, Japan Coast Guard, Australian Border Force, and Indian Coast Guard. Members from Japan, Australia, and India will spend time on a US Coast Guard vessel in the Indo-Pacific.

Jaishankar also mentioned good coordination with third countries in regions like Gaza, Ukraine, Yemen, and the South China Sea, highlighting global developments.

The Quad is a diplomatic partnership between Australia, India, Japan, and the United States. US President Joe Biden hosted Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and Australian PM Anthony Albanese for the Quad Leaders’ Summit in Wilmington, Delaware, on September 21. This was the fourth in-person and sixth overall Quad Leaders’ Summit.

Besides the Quad Summit, PM Modi had bilateral meetings with several leaders, including US President Joe Biden, engaged with the Indian diaspora, met important American business leaders, and addressed the Summit of the Future at the United Nations.

On PM Modi’s meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Jaishankar asserted that India advocates for peace. He said, “India wants peace. I think the longer the war goes on, it’s not in India’s interests, not in many parties’ interests. So I think, what India can do to help facilitate satisfactory outcomes for all sides is appreciated and I think India is one of the few countries that has good relations with Moscow and Kyiv. So, it’s trying to play a role in facilitating that outcome.”

Jaishankar also discussed the upcoming US presidential elections, emphasizing India’s strong ties with both Republicans and Democrats. He said that India’s relationship with the US is unlikely to undergo significant changes regardless of whether Donald Trump or Kamala Harris assumes the presidency. “The outcome is too early to determine… India has good relations with both — Republicans and Democrats. I don’t see the relationship fundamentally changing under either Trump or Harris presidency. There will be some shifts… I do think that we should prepare for some minor shifts in emphasis in different types of policies. There will be some shifts with Trump on trade and immigration. There will be some shifts with Kamala Harris also, despite her being a Democrat. The Indian-American community is sizeable and growing. They have a sizeable presence in key states like Georgia and Pennsylvania, among others… Both parties are trying to appeal to Indian-Americans as political donors since they are very wealthy, and in that sense they can play a big role.”

The US presidential elections are scheduled to be held on November 5.