In a personal and poignant farewell, US President Joe Biden has chosen his hometown of Wilmington, Delaware, as the venue for the final Quad Leaders Summit of his presidency. The summit, a grouping he was instrumental in reviving, will see Biden hosting Prime Minister Narendra Modi of India, Australian PM Anthony Albanese, and Japanese PM Fumio Kishida.
The weekend event will kick off with bilateral meetings at Biden’s personal home, followed by a formal dinner and four-way summit on Saturday at his alma mater, Archmere Academy. This decision to host the leaders in such intimate settings reflects the deep personal significance Biden attaches to the Quad and his commitment to highlighting the importance of strong personal relationships in his foreign policy approach.
Biden, who grew up in Wilmington and has maintained a home there throughout his long political career, will showcase his personal history and the place that shaped his journey to the White House. This will be the first time he will host any foreign leaders in his hometown, underscoring the special significance he places on this particular summit.
The Quad Leaders Summit, which comprises the United States, India, Japan, and Australia, has been a cornerstone of Biden’s Indo-Pacific strategy. The grouping, first formed in 2007, experienced a period of dormancy until its revival under the leadership of Modi and then-Japanese PM Fumio Kishida. Biden, upon assuming presidency in 2021, made the Quad a central pillar of his approach to the region, emphasizing its role in promoting a rules-based order, inclusive development, and freedom of the seas.
The summit comes at a time of heightened tensions in the Indo-Pacific region, fueled by China’s increasingly assertive actions. The leaders are expected to discuss the challenges posed by Chinese expansionism and its growing military presence in the South China Sea, with China being a key topic on the agenda.
Biden’s decision to host the Quad leaders in Wilmington, showcasing his personal history and emphasizing the importance of relationships, is a powerful symbol of his commitment to this grouping. The summit is not just a diplomatic event, but a testament to the personal connections and shared values that underpin the Quad’s mission.
