Delivering the opening remarks at the Quad Leaders’ summit in the United States, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that the security dialogue between the four nations — India, United States, Australia and Japan — will work as a ‘force for global good.’

“Our four nations met for the first time after the 2004 Tsunami to help the Indo-Pacific region. Today, when the world is fighting against the COVID-19 pandemic, we have come here once again as Quad for the welfare of humanity,” Modi expressed in his opening statements.

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Talking about the Quad vaccine initiative, which is part of their ongoing efforts to tackle COVID-19, Narendra Modi said, “Our Quad vaccine initiative will help Indo-Pacific nations. Quad decided to go ahead with a positive approach on basis of our shared democratic values. I’d be happy to discuss with my friends-be it supply chain, global security, climate action, COVID response or tech cooperation.”

“In a way, our Quad will work as a ‘force for global good’. I believe that our cooperation in Quad will ensure peace and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific as well as the entire world,” the Prime Minister further added.

The first-ever in-person Quad summit was being hosted by US President Joe Biden, who said that the grouping has a common vision for the future and the countries have come together to take on key challenges including COVID-19 and climate change.

“I am honoured to welcome PM Morrison, PM Modi, PM Suga for a first in-person meeting of Quad. This group has democratic partners who share a world view and have a common vision for future, coming together to take on key challenges of our age,” Biden said in his opening remark.

“When we met six months ago, we made concrete commitments to advance our shared & positive agenda for free & open Indo-Pacific. Today, I’m proud to say that they are making excellent progress,” he added.