Biden to Host Final Quad Summit in Wilmington, Focusing on Indo-Pacific Security

U.S. President Joe Biden will host the final Quad summit of his term in Wilmington, Delaware, on September 21, 2024, bringing together leaders from Australia, India, and Japan. Initially scheduled for India, the summit was relocated to coincide with the United Nations General Assembly. Biden’s choice of Wilmington reflects his personal approach to diplomacy and emphasis on strengthening alliances in the Indo-Pacific region.

The summit will be Biden’s fourth in-person meeting with Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, underscoring the importance of the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (Quad) in addressing security challenges posed by China’s growing influence, especially in the South China Sea.

Key issues on the agenda include cooperation in global health, humanitarian efforts, and maritime security, areas where the Quad has already made progress. A senior official emphasized the collective strength of the Quad in promoting stability despite China’s assertive actions. Concrete outcomes are expected in health security and initiatives to bolster the Indo-Pacific Partnership for Maritime Domain Awareness.

This summit marks an important moment for Biden, who aims to solidify the Quad as a long-term bipartisan priority in U.S. foreign policy. Despite his term ending soon, the Quad is expected to continue shaping the region’s geopolitical landscape. It also serves as a farewell to Japanese Prime Minister Kishida, who is stepping down. As the summit approaches, Biden’s Indo-Pacific strategy and legacy will be closely watched by global leaders.