President Joe Biden is set to host the first in-person gathering of leaders of an Indo-Pacific alliance known as the Quad Today, wrapping up a tough week of diplomacy in which he faced no shortage of criticism from both allies and adversaries.
Biden’s meeting with leaders from India, Japan and Australia at the White House gives the U.S. president a chance to put the spotlight on a central aim of his foreign policy. The four leaders’ talks are also expected to center on climate, COVID-19 response and cyber security.
The Japanese and Indian governments invited a statement for the U.S., as part of a separate new quad with Britain and Australia, would weaponize Australia with nuclear-powered submarines.
Beijing,for its role , has spoken out precariously against the alliance, with Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian, terming it a reflection of “outdated Cold War zero-sum mentality and narrow-minded geopolitical perception”.
Beijing has also sought to push the notion that creation of the alliance indicates the U.S. will favor Australia in the Quad at the expense of Japan and India, said Bonny Lin, senior fellow for Asian security at the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington.