Quad a dominant force; inspiration to democratic powers: PM Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, during the Quad Leaders' Summit in Tokyo today, said the Quad has established itself as an important grouping on the global level in a short span of time.

The Prime Minister is on a two-day visit to a Quad leaders' summit, which is aimed at boosting cooperation among the member nations. Quad is a strategic security grouping between Australia, India, Japan, and the United States.

During the opening remarks of his address, PM Modi said the Quad has become a dominant force now. "Our trust in each other and determination is giving new encouragement to the democratic powers. The Quad grouping has also encouraged free, open and inclusive Indo-Pacific cooperation, which is our ultimate aim," he says.

He said despite difficulties faced during Covid-19, the grouping ensured cooperation in vaccine delivery, climate action, supply chain resilience, and disaster response.

During the summit, PM Modi met with US President Joe Biden, and both leaders shared their views on a wide range of issues and discussed ways to deepen the India-USA friendship. Biden praised India's battle against the Covid-19 pandemic. He said the India-US partnership is a partnership of trust. "Our common interests and values have strengthened this bond of trust between our two countries," he adds.

Yesterday, PM Modi interacted with the Indian community in Japan, chaired a business roundtable in Tokyo and met the who's who of the Japanese business industry, including Masayoshi Son, board director and founder, Softbank Corporation, Osamu Suzuki, senior advisor, Suzuki Motor Corporation, Nobuhiro Endo, chairman, NEC Corporation and Tadashi Yanai, chairman, president & CEO, Fast Retailing Co. Ltd.

During his meeting with Masayoshi Son, the PM appreciated Softbank’s role in India’s startup sector and discussed Softbank’s future participation in India in key areas such as technology, energy and finance.

PM Modi and Nobuhiro Endo discussed reforms being undertaken to enable ease of doing business in India, including industrial development, taxation and labour. In his talks with Tadashi Yanai, the PM invited the company's Uniqlo brand’s enhanced participation in India’s journey to becoming a manufacturing hub for textiles, particularly the use of technologies in textile manufacturing. He also invited Uniqlo to take part in the PM-Mitra scheme to strengthen the textiles sector.

The PM and Osamu Suzuki discussed Suzuki’s association and contribution to India and appreciated the transformational role of Suzuki Motors in the automotive industry of India. They discussed investment opportunities in India, including setting up production facilities for electric vehicles and batteries as well recycling centres, for realising the goal of sustainable growth.

While interacting with over 700 members of the Indian diaspora in Japan, the PM appreciated the Indian community members for their skills, talent and entrepreneurship and connection with the country.

The Prime Minister underlined the deep cultural ties that exist between India and Japan and highlighted the various socio-economic developments and reform initiatives in India in recent years, particularly in the domains of infrastructure, governance, green growth, and the digital revolution.

Quad fellowship launched:

The Quad leaders today launched a first-of-its-kind scholarship programme that will bring together the top minds of Australia, India, Japan, and the United States in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.

The fellowship will sponsor 100 students per year — 25 from each Quad country — to pursue master's and doctoral degrees at leading STEM graduate universities in the United States. It will develop a network of experts committed to advancing innovation and collaboration across sectors.