Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has ruled out a so-called Quad summit in Sydney without President Joe Biden. The four leaders will meet this weekend in Japan at the Group of Seven meeting.
Albanese said on Wednesday that he understands why Biden opted out of the summit to focus on debt-limit negotiations in Washington, which are critical to the economy. The conference, which would have included Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, was slated for May 24.
“The blocking and disruption occurring in domestic politics in the United States, with the debt ceiling issue. Because that has to be resolved before June 1; otherwise, there are drastic consequences for the U.S. economy. Which will flow on to the global economy — he understandably has had to make that decision,” Albanese told reporters.
Albanese said Biden “expressed his disappointment” at being unable to attend the Sydney conference and address Parliament the day before in Canberra.
He said The four leaders would meet at the G-7 summit in Hiroshima, Japan.
“The Quad is an important body, and we want to ensure it occurs at the leadership level. And we’ll have that discussion over the weekend,” Albanese said.
He stated that Modi would visit Sydney next week and that the Indian leader is set to address the Indian diaspora on Tuesday at a sold-out 20,000-seat stadium. Kishida, on the other hand, will not be present.
“Prime Minister Modi will visit me next week for a bilateral meeting.” He’ll also attend business meetings and a massive occasion… in Sydney,” Albanese told the Australian Broadcasting Corporation.
“I am looking forward to welcoming him to Sydney,” Albanese stated. “Japan’s Prime Minister Kishida was only here for the Quad summit.” There was no distinct bilateral programme.”
Albanese said it was “disappointing” that Biden couldn’t make it.
“President Biden’s decision meant that you couldn’t have a Quad leaders’ meeting when only three of the four were present,” Albanese explained.