2024 Quad Summit in Delhi not to be held in January, say sources
The HinduIndia has put off plans to hold the Quad Summit in January, said government sources, in an indication that U.S. President Joseph Biden has declined the invitation to visit India as chief guest at the Republic Day parade as well. Both Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Prime Minister Fumio Kishida had indicated they could fly in on January 26 evening in order to attend the Quad summit the next day, and officials had been awaiting a confirmation from the White House on Mr. Biden’s availability. Mr. Biden decision not to attend the Republic Day event and Quad Summit in January would set off speculation about a possible strain in India-U.S. ties on this issue, even as the two sides have strengthened their partnership in a number of bilateral, strategic and technological areas, especially since Mr. Modi’s State Visit to Washington in June this year. Government officials would not comment on who New Delhi would invite in the event of Mr. Biden’s absence, with some sources suggesting that U.K. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak could visit India in January if the India-U.K. free trade agreement is ready for finalisation by then.