PM Modi arrives in US for Quad summit; Indian diaspora accords warm welcome

The visit kicks off with a bilateral meeting between India and the US, where PM Modi and President Joe Biden will address key issues aimed at strengthening ties between the two nations.

"Landed in Philadelphia," PM Modi posted on social media platform X, sharing his excitement for the upcoming meetings and emphasizing the importance of discussions in contributing to global betterment. He also shared photos of his warm reception by members of the Indian community in the US, praising their contributions across various sectors.

The Prime Minister expressed enthusiasm for the 'Modi and US' event in New York, where he will engage with the Indian diaspora.

Several significant agreements are expected to be signed during the visit, including discussions on a multi-billion-dollar deal for India to acquire 31 Predator drones from the US.

A potential announcement regarding India-US space collaboration could be made, with Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla set to travel to the International Space Station as part of the Axiom-4 mission.

PM receives warm welcome by Indian Community at Hotel duPont, Wilmington, Delaware, in USA on September 21, 2024. PIB photo.

Following the bilateral meeting, PM Modi will attend the Quad summit alongside President Biden, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida.

White House spokesperson John Kirby indicated that China's influence in the region will be a central topic of discussion, including issues like aggressive military actions and trade tensions.

The summit, being held in President Biden's hometown of Wilmington, Delaware, will be the final Quad meeting for both Biden, who is not seeking a second term, and Japanese Prime Minister Kishida.

Quad summit 2024 focus

This year's Quad summit will focus on a wide range of pressing global issues, including health security, climate change, emerging technologies, and counter-terrorism. In addition, significant attention will be given to the escalating conflicts, particularly the Israel-Hezbollah tensions and the ongoing wars between Israel-Hamas and Russia-Ukraine.

According to the White House, the summit will formally announce the expansion of the Indo-Pacific Partnership for Maritime Domain Awareness (IPMDA) from Southeast Asia into the Indian Ocean Region.

This initiative aims to improve maritime domain awareness by incorporating advanced technologies and new training programs.

The expansion offers strategic opportunities for collaboration, particularly between the U.S., India, and other regional partners, enhancing cooperation across the Indian Ocean.

John Kirby, White House National Security Council's Strategic Communications Director, highlighted the growing strategic alignment and relevance of the Quad. India was initially set to host this year’s summit, but at Washington's request, India will now host it next year.