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Video Editor: Sandeep Suman
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday, 12 March, participated in the first Quad Leaders’ Virtual Summit – a grouping of four countries namely India, US, Japan and Australia – saying, "We are united by our democratic values and our commitment to a free, open and inclusive Indo-Pacific."
At the summit, US President Joe Biden announced the launch of a joint partnership to boost vaccine manufacturing for the global benefit. "We are launching a new ambitious joint partnership that is going to boost vaccine manufacturing for the global benefit, strengthen vaccinations to benefit the entire Indo-Pacific," he was quoted as saying, as he called the Quad a vital arena for cooperation in the Indo-Pacific going forward.
Apart from Biden, with whom this is PM Modi's first meeting since he took over as President in January, Australian PM Scott Morrison and Japan PM Yoshihide Suga also participated.
What PM Modi Said
“Our agenda today covering areas like vaccines, climate change and emerging technologies makes the Quad, a force for global good... Quad has come of age and will remain an important pillar of stability in the Indo-Pacific region," PM Modi was quoted as saying at the summit on Friday.
“I see this positive vision as an extension of India’s ancient philosophy of ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’ which regards the world as one family. We will work together closer than ever before for advancing shared values and promoting secular, stable and prosperous Indo-Pacific.”PM Modi at Quad Summit, as quoted by ANI
After the summit, the PM tweeted saying he had "fruitful discussions" with the leaders of the three countries.
"United in our fight against COVID-19, we launched a landmark Quad partnership to ensure accessibility of safe COVID-19 vaccines. India’s formidable vaccine production capacity will be expanded with support from Japan, US & Australia to assist countries in the Indo-Pacific region," he said.
What Others Said
US President Biden, in his address, said called the Quad "particularly important because it is dedicated to practical solutions and concrete results."
"The United States is committed to working with you and with all our allies in the region to achieve stability," he said.
Australian PM Scott Morrison underlined the importance of the grouping of four countries in bringing a "new dawn in the Indo-Pacific".
“It’s the Indo-Pacific that’ll now shape the destiny of the world in the 21st century. As four leaders of great democracies in the Indo-Pacific, let our partnership be an enabler of peace, stability and prosperity, and to do so inclusively with many nations in the region.”Australian PM Scott Morrison
‘Quad Vaccine Initiative Most Valuable’
Foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla said after the summit that it adopted a positive agenda and vision focusing on contemporary issues including vaccines, climate change and emerging technologies.
“The Quad vaccine initiative is the most pressing and valuable. Four countries have agreed to a plan to pool their financial resources, manufacturing capabilities and capacities, logistics to ramp up the manufacture and distribution of COVID-19 vaccines in the Indo-Pacific region.”Foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla
"India welcomes this initiative as it recognises our own manufacturing capacities and capabilities. We look forward to wholehearted participation in this endeavour," he said.
(With inputs from ANI and PTI.)
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