Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be attending the Quad Summit in Tokyo, along with his Japanese and US counterparts on 24 May, Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said on Thursday, 19 May.
Quad is a multilateral alliance of four countries namely India, US, Japan, and Australia.
"This would be the 4th Summit of Quad leaders. Bilateral meetings with Japanese counterpart and bilateral meeting with US President Joe Biden will also take place on 24 May," Bagchi stated.
Modi will participate in a business event with Japanese business leaders on his visit, and also address and interact with the Indian community in Japan.
The PM is also likely to have a bilateral meeting with Australia's Prime Minister, Bagchi added.
The MEA spokesperson also said, "The forthcoming QUAD summit provides an opportunity for the leaders to exchange views about developments in the Indo-Pacific region and contemporary global issues of mutual interest."
Modi will participate in a business event with Japanese business leaders on his visit, and also address and interact with the Indian community in Japan.
The PM is also likely to have a bilateral meeting with Australia's Prime Minister, Bagchi added.
The MEA spokesperson also said, "The forthcoming QUAD summit provides an opportunity for the leaders to exchange views about developments in the Indo-Pacific region and contemporary global issues of mutual interest."
The two leaders are expected to review the India-US Strategic Partnership and exchange views on regional and global developments of shared interest.
PM Modi is also slated to participate in a business event with Japanese leaders and interact with the Indian community in Japan.
The convention in Tokyo will be the the second time QUAD country leaders will meet in person.
Earlier, US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan had said, "We believe that this summit will demonstrate both in substance and in vision that democracies can deliver and that these four nations working together will defend and uphold the principles of a free and open Indo-Pacific."
On China Building 2nd Bridge at Pangong Tso
Commenting on the recent reports that China was building a second bridge across the Pangong Tso in eastern Ladakh, Bagchi said that the area has been under the occupation of the Chinese side for decades.
Speaking to reporters on Thursday, he said, "We have seen media reports and other reports on the so-called bridge..."
He added that India monitors such developments and that the EAM S Jaishankar had clarified with the media that “the friction and tensions that arise from China’s deployments since April 2020 cannot be reconciled with a normal relationship between two neighbours."
"You are also aware that Foreign Minister Wang Yi was here in March this year and the external affairs minister conveyed our expectations to him."Arindam Bagchi, spokesperson, External Affairs Ministry
Bagchi said that India and China have held several rounds of conversations at the diplomatic and military levels and will continue to remain engaged.
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