A noteworthy feature of the Quad Summit this year will be the unveiling of a new health initiative
Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s upcoming visit to the United States from September 21 to 23, 2024, is set to deepen India’s role in addressing pressing global issues and reinforcing bilateral ties with key international partners. With a series of high-profile events, including the Quad Leaders’ Summit and the United Nations’ “Summit of the Future” (SOTF), the visit marks a critical juncture in India’s diplomatic efforts to navigate a rapidly shifting global landscape.

The first major event on the Prime Minister’s agenda is the fourth in-person Quad Leaders’ Summit on September 21, which will take place in Wilmington, Delaware—President Joe Biden’s hometown. The summit will be a platform for the four member nations—India, the United States, Japan, and Australia—to assess the progress of their collaboration and set future priorities, particularly in the Indo-Pacific region.

The Quad continues to work on development priorities in the Indo-Pacific in implementing Sustainable Development Goals, delivering public goods, strong focus on peace, prosperity and stability in the Indo-Pacific region, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri said as he emphasized its importance in a pre-visit briefing on Thursday(September 18, 2024). “Our agenda covers health security, climate change, critical and emerging technologies, infrastructure, connectivity, maritime security, and counterterrorism,” he stated. He added that the leaders’ discussions would likely result in new initiatives aimed at tackling these challenges, with a special focus on the Indo-Pacific.

A noteworthy feature of the Quad Summit this year will be the unveiling of a new initiative—the Cancer Moonshot. Spearheaded by the Quad nations, this initiative seeks to address the growing burden of cervical cancer, particularly in the Indo-Pacific. “Through this milestone initiative, the Quad aims to implement innovative strategies to prevent, detect, treat, and alleviate the impact of cancer on patients and their families. And to begin with, we intend to collaborate in reducing the burden of cervical cancer in the Indo-Pacific region,” Foreign Secretary Misri said.

Additionally, Prime Minister Modi’s participation in the Quad Summit is viewed as an opportunity to further solidify strategic partnerships, particularly with the United States. Bilateral discussions between PM Modi and President Biden are expected to cover a range of topics, from defence and security to cutting-edge technologies. “They will have the opportunity to review the comprehensive global strategic partnership between India and the United States, which today covers almost every aspect of human endeavor through the 50-plus engagements and bilateral dialogue mechanisms that we have between the two sides,” Foreign Secretary Misri noted. 

Prime Minister Modi is also expected to have bilateral meetings with the Japanese and Australian Prime Ministers. 

UN Summit of the Future 

On September 23, 2024, Prime Minister Modi will address the Summit of the Future (SOTF) at the United Nations General Assembly in New York. This highly anticipated summit brings together world leaders to explore multilateral solutions to the most critical global challenges, from climate change and digital inequality to peace and security.

Foreign Secretary Misri, noted the significance of this event: “The Summit comes at a time of conflict, tensions, and divisions in the world. There is an obvious deficit of development in the world at large and the Global South is at the risk of being left behind on account of current developments.” Prime Minister Modi is expected to highlight India’s proactive approach to development, climate action, and peace-building efforts, particularly considering its leadership in the Voice of the Global South Summit earlier this year.

India’s key priorities at the SOTF will focus on fostering inclusive development, leveraging digital public infrastructure, and pushing for reforms in global governance. 

Another crucial element of Modi’s U.S. visit will be his interaction with the Indian diaspora, one of the largest in the world. On September 22, Modi will address a gathering of Indian community members in Long Island, New York, organized by the Indian American community. The diaspora has played a vital role in strengthening India-U.S. relations, acting as a living bridge between the two countries.

Focus on Business, Economic Issues

In addition, Prime Minister Modi will participate in a Business Roundtable with leading CEOs from sectors such as artificial intelligence, quantum computing, semiconductors, and biotechnology. These meetings will provide a platform for discussing the future of U.S. investments in India and potential collaboration in emerging technologies. Misri pointed out that this interaction will explore new avenues for cooperation in sectors where India has made significant strides.

As part of the broader bilateral agenda, Prime Minister Modi’s visit will feature the exchange of key agreements, including those under the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework (IPEF) and a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on drug policies. The Indo-Pacific Economic Framework agreements will focus on economic collaboration, clean energy, and a fair economic system, while the drug framework is expected to tackle issues related to drug regulation and control between India and the US.

The visit is also being closely watched for any developments regarding peace-building efforts in the context of global conflicts. While there has been speculation about India playing a more prominent role in facilitating peace talks, particularly in the Russia-Ukraine conflict, Foreign Secretary Misri noted that these discussions remain a work in progress.

Prime Minister Modi’s US visit comes at a time when the world is grappling with interconnected crises. His engagements at the Quad Summit, the United Nations, and with the Indian diaspora and business leaders will showcase India’s growing influence on the global stage. Through diplomatic outreach and strategic partnerships, India continues to assert itself as a key player in shaping multilateral responses to the challenges of the future.