Quad on PM Modi’s US itinerary

Prime Minister Modi is all set to visit the US between Wednesday and Sunday. This will be the first time when he is personally meeting US President Joe Biden. The two leaders are going to hold talks on strengthening defence and security collaborations and enhancing the clean energy partnership. Bilateral issues related to India’s Personal Data Protection law and the geopolitical situation in South Asia, arising from US’ withdrawal from Afghanistan, could be deliberated too. Meeting with the four-country Quad group – the US, India, Japan, and Australia – are also on his agenda.

Some of the things that the Quad group may discuss pertain to the promotion of democracy, international law and ‘freedom’ in the Indo-Pacific region, boiling down to putting speed breakers on China’s assertions. PM Modi will also interact with Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison and Japan Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga in separate bilateral meetings on Thursday. New Delhi will also enhance its engagement with the ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) that it sees as an integral part of managing the Indo-Pacific.