India Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday said that the Quad has come of age and its agenda covering areas like vaccines, climate change and emerging technologies makes it a force for global good. Modi made the remarks during the first summit of the four-nation coalition.

In his opening remarks at the virtual summit, Modi, in presence of US President Joe Biden, Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison and Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga, also talked about shared values and promoting a secure, stable and prosperous Indo-Pacific.

“We are united by our democratic values, and our commitment to a free, open and inclusive Indo-Pacific. Our agenda today – covering areas like vaccines, climate change and emerging technologies – makes the Quad a force for global good,” he said.

The first Quad summit of the leaders of the US, India, Australia and Japan on Friday is expected to will result in them announcing a historic agreement to expand the COVID-19 vaccine capacity. Known as the “Quadrilateral Security Dialogue,” representatives for the four member nations have met periodically since its establishment in 2007. 

The genesis of the Quad lies in 2004 when the four countries formed a “core group” for a joint response to the Indian Ocean tsunami to undertake rescue and relief operations.

In many senses, that pioneering effort still determines the core identity of Quad, and the instinct for collective welfare and security for the people of the Indo-Pacific.