In his opening remarks at the Quad summit in Hiroshima, Prime Minister Narendra Modi highlighted the significance of the Indo-Pacific region as an "engine" driving global trade, innovation, and development. The summit, attended by US President Joe Biden, Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, and Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, emphasized the Quad's role in ensuring peace, stability, and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific based on a constructive agenda and democratic principles.

Prime Minister Modi expressed the Quad's commitment to realizing a free, open, and inclusive Indo-Pacific, underscoring the region's pivotal role in global trade, innovation, and development. He reaffirmed that the Quad will continue working towards human welfare, peace, and prosperity.

Originally scheduled to take place in Sydney, the Quad summit was shifted to Hiroshima due to President Biden's postponed visit to Australia. According to the reports by Mint, Prime Minister Modi announced India's readiness to host the Quad Summit in 2024, highlighting the group's dedication to global good, welfare, prosperity, and peace. President Biden also acknowledged the potential of the Quad to bring dynamic change to the region and the world.

Prime Minister Kishida of Japan pledged to engage in practical cooperation with countries in South Asia and the Pacific Islands, listening to their voices and delivering tangible benefits to the region as a force for good. Australian Prime Minister Albanese affirmed the Quad's commitment to an open, stable, secure, and prosperous Indo-Pacific region, where sovereignty is respected, and all countries, regardless of size, benefit from the regional balance.

The Quad, comprising India, Australia, the United States, and Japan, was established in 2017 to ensure a free, open, and prosperous Indo-Pacific region and counter expansionist policies. While the summit was initially planned in Australia, it took place in Japan due to President Biden's scheduling adjustments. India's participation in the G7 summit and the Quad Summit was extended through a personal invitation from Prime Minister Kishida.

(With PTI Inputs)