Biden Hosts Quad Leaders in Wilmington: Modi, Albanese, Kishida Visit

On a Saturday morning in Wilmington, Delaware, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, along with leaders from Australia and Japan, arrived for a significant summit hosted by President Joe Biden. This gathering marks the first time Biden has invited foreign leaders to his hometown since taking office, highlighting the strong relationships he has cultivated with these dignitaries. The summit is part of the Quad alliance, which aims to strengthen ties among the four nations, particularly in response to China's growing influence in the Indo-Pacific region. The main events of the summit will take place at Archmere Academy, Biden's former high school, where he has requested a leaders-level meeting, a Cancer Moonshot event, and a private dinner. This choice reflects Biden's desire to incorporate personal elements into the summit, emphasizing the importance of deep personal relationships in his foreign policy approach. The gathering will be the sixth meeting of the Quad leaders, with this being the fourth in-person meeting since Biden elevated the alliance to the leader level in 2021. Originally, India was set to host the summit this year, but due to scheduling conflicts with the United Nations General Assembly, the responsibilities were swapped with the United States. India is now slated to host the next summit in 2025, which could have significant implications, especially considering Vice President Kamala Harris's Indian heritage. As Biden showcases his hometown, he aims to project a strong alliance with Indo-Pacific partners, reinforcing the notion that foreign policy is deeply personal and rooted in the relationships he has built throughout his career.