The United States, India, Australia and Japan announced an ambitious partnership to boost covid vaccine production on Friday at the first meeting of leaders of the Quad group of nations.
United States President Joe Biden, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison, and Japan Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga shared a virtual stage to announce the start of their enhanced partnership that it is considered a challenge for China.
The summit takes place against the backdrop of multiple challenges posed by a rising China, which has trade disputes with the United States and Australia and territorial disputes with India and Japan.
Briefing reporters after the summit, India’s Foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla described the update of Quad’s conversation at the leaders’ level as “the most significant outcome.” “It highlights the importance of international cooperation to address global challenges,” he said.
Shringla said “certain issues” were discussed during the meeting, implying that China’s belligerent attitude towards some members of the Quad, including India, was discussed. The Quad virtual summit will be followed by an in-person meeting of the four leaders later this year. Shringla added.
On Beijing’s claim that the Quad is an “Asian NATO” meant to circumscribe China’s growth and influence, Shringla said the group has a constructive agenda and upholds the ideas commonly pursued by the four nations, including democracy and the rule of law and not against any. nation.
The vaccine manufacturing plan will see the four countries work to produce up to 1 billion doses of vaccines by 2022. India is expected to increase its vaccine manufacturing capacity with funding from the US and Japan to manufacture the vaccine. single-dose programs from US-based Johnson and Johnson, with Australia handling shipping and logistics issues, Shringla said.
“We believe this will accelerate the post-pandemic recovery process and allow families and businesses to leave the COVID crisis behind,” he said.
The fact that India was tasked with making the vaccines was a “validation of our reputation” as the world’s pharmacy, Shringla said, adding that the idea was also to address potential pandemics in the future.
The summit also saw the creation of three working groups: on vaccines, new and emerging technologies, and climate change.
For the first time, the Quad submitted a joint statement, underscoring the unity of vision and purpose. Speaking first, Biden, who has vowed to revitalize alliances in the face of China’s challenges, hailed the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue, or Quad, as one that “will be a vital arena for cooperation in the Indo-Pacific.” work with partners India, Australia and Japan to “achieve stability”. He described the Quad as “dedicated to practical solutions and concrete results,” possibly dating back to when the four came together to provide aid to countries devastated by the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami.
“We are launching an ambitious new joint partnership that will drive vaccine manufacturing and strengthen vaccines to benefit the entire Indo-Pacific,” said Biden, referring to the United States providing vaccines to India to manufacture and increase production capabilities for supply to countries. in the region.
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