Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke at the Quad Summit being held in Delaware, US, on Saturday, highlighting the juncture at which the meeting between the world leaders is taking place is tainted by conflicts happening around the globe.
"Our meeting is taking place at a time when the world is surrounded by tensions and conflicts. In such a situation, the QUAD's working together on the basis of shared democratic values is very important for the entire humanity,” he said.
The prime minister, giving his opening remarks at the summit, added that the Quad alliance is “not against anyone” but an alliance which supports “rules-based international order, respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity, and peaceful resolution of all issues.”
"Free, open, inclusive and prosperous Indo-Pacific is our shared priority and shared commitment," said PM Modi, adding that the alliance had already taken initiatives in areas like health, climate change, security, emerging technology and capacity building.
PM Modi also addressed President Joe Biden, acknowledging his contribution to the alliance.
"It gives me immense pleasure to participate at this Quad Summit during my third term. Under your leadership, the first summit of 2021 was organised," he said. "In such a short time, we have expanded our cooperation in an unprecedented way in every direction. You have played a very important role in this. I thank you from the bottom of my heart for your commitment and contribution to Quad."
The prime minister added that India would be happy to host the summit in 2025.
PM Modi is on a three-day trip to the US for the Quad Summit. He also met President Biden before the summit at his residence to hold bilateral talks where the two leaders discussed ways to grow US-India relations and address regional and global conflicts. In the coming days, he is scheduled to meet other leaders, travel to New York to address the American-Indian community at an event, meet with American tech business leaders, and deliver an address at the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA).
