Exclusive | Former Japanese PM Shinzo Abe speaks to WION on China-Taiwan relations

Former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe in an exclusive interview with WION's Managing Editor Palki Sharma on the sidelines of the Quad summit said that although from China's perspective it would be best that Taiwan voluntarily becomes part of China but such a scenario is not likely to occur.

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Key highlights of Quad joint statement:

• Cooperation with partners in the region on free and open Indo-Pacific

• Maintenance of freedom of navigation and overflight to meet challenges to the maritime rules-based order including in the East and South China Seas.

• Further strengthen our cooperation with Pacific island countries.

• Reaffirm UNSC Resolution 2593 (2021) which demands Afghan territory must never again be used to threaten or attack any country or to shelter or train terrorists.

• Importance of upholding international standards on anti-money laundering and combating the financing of terrorism consistent with FATF recommendations. 

• Quad partners have collectively pledged $$ 5.2 billion to the COVAX AMC.

• Recognising the urgent need to address climate change as emphasised in the latest IPCC reports.

• Official launch of the Quad Fellowship programme.  The Quad Fellowship will bring 100 students to the United States each year  to pursue graduate degrees in STEM fields.

• Work together to create an Earth observation-based monitoring and sustainable development framework.  

• Maritime Domain Awareness and HADR: Indo-Pacific Partnership for Maritime Domain Awareness (IPMDA) designed to work with regional partners to respond to humanitarian and natural disasters and combat illegal fishing.

In joint statement, Quad condemns terrorist attacks, including 26/11 Mumbai and Pathankot attacks

Quad members US, Japan, India and Australia in a joint statement denounced the use of terrorist proxies and emphasised the "importance of denying any logistical, financial or military support to terrorist groups which could be used to launch or plan terror attacks, including cross-border attacks."

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Quad vs China: All four countries have recently had confrontations with China

Analysts argue that the progressive deterioration of each Quad nation's bilateral ties with China in recent years appears to have given them new impetus.

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Exclusive | On the sidelines of Quad Summit 2022, former Japanese PM Shinzo Abe talks to WION

As the head of states from Australia, India, Japan and the United States gathered for a meeting of the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue group (QUAD), WION talked to former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.

The exclusive conversation took place on the margins of the Tokyo Quad Summit as part of WION's Global Leadership Series. 

Stay tuned, the interview will be aired tonight 2030 IST (8:30 pm).

Watch | QUAD Summit 2022: Leaders of QUAD nations launch first-of-its-kind QUAD Fellowship
 

A day after 'defending Taiwan by force' comment, Biden says no change to policy of strategic ambiguity

Just a day after making a remark about his country's readiness to use force to defend Taiwan against Chinese invasion, United States President Joe Biden noted that Washington's "strategic ambiguity" policy remains in effect.

While the United States is bound by law to give self-ruled Taiwan the ability to defend itself, it has traditionally adopted a policy of "strategic ambiguity" on whether it would intervene militarily to safeguard Taiwan in the case of a Chinese attack.

A convention that Biden appeared to violate on Monday.

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Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday said that the strategic partnership between India and the US is a "true partnership of trust".

"Our shared values, and our common interests in many areas, including security, have strengthened the bonds of this trust," he said in his opening remarks during a bilateral meeting between the two nations on the sidelines of the Quad Summit in Tokyo.

The Prime Minister further said that "our people to people relations and close economic relations also make our partnership unique".

He said that there has been a sustained development in the field of trade and investment, though, it was still less than what our real potentials.

Quad Summit leaders India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Japan's Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, US President Joe Biden and Australia’s Prime Minister Anthony Albanese meet at Kantei Palace in Tokyo, Japan, May 24. (Reuters Photo)

Since their first virtual meeting in March 2021, in-person summit in September 2021, and virtual meeting in March 2022, the Quad Leaders have met four times.

Quad has made an important place for itself in the world in such a short span of time. Today, Quad's scope has become extensive, its form effective. Our mutual trust and determination give democratic powers new life and vigour: PM Modi at Quad Leaders' Summit

"Khadi is becoming global... earlier it used to be a fancy dress for the politicians but today people want to wear khadi," the prime minister proudly declared.

"Indians all around the world are talking about India with pride," he said adding,"I would request all the youth of Japan to visit India at least once."

The Indian prime minister urged Indians in the crowd to make Japan aware about Indian culture and heritage.

"I request the Japanese people to get attached with it, I believe that with your help we will find new ways."

"I hope your love and effection towards us stays," he said in closing note.

"India is fortunate enough to have the blessing from Gautam Buddha. India is continuously serving humanity no matter how big the challenge is, India will find a solution to it," the prime minister said.

"Even during the biggest crisis during COVID-19 and in last 100 years, India helped people across the globe," PM Modi said.

"Today the world needs to follow the path shown by Lord Buddha. It is the way to save humanity from all the challenges facing the world today," he said.

"The world has now realised the scale and speed of building infrastructure in the country in India. India is a very strong, resilient democracy in the world," the Indian prime minister said.

Reminding the diaspora on the tough Covid times, the Indian prime minister said: "During Covid times our banking system functioned quite smoothly."

"India and Japan are natural partners. Japan has played an important role in India's development journey. Our relationship with Japan is of intimacy, spirituality, cooperation and belonging," the Indian prime minister said.

"Whenever I come to Japan, I get extreme love from the people here. Some of you have been staying in Japan for yrs & have adapted the culture of this country," he told Indians at the gathering.
 

"We Indians get attached to our 'Karmbhoomi' with all our hearts but the love for our 'Matribhoomi' never fades away. We cannot stay away from our motherland," he told the Indian diaspora gathered in Tokyo

India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi in a meeting with the Indian diaspora in Tokyo "when Swami Vivekanand went to Chicago, he came to Japan first and Japan left an impression in his heart."

"Tagore said that Japan is a country which both modern and ancient," he said.

On the first day of his Japan visit, PM Modi met several top Japanese business leaders. 

Click Here to see pictures from Day 1

Asia-Pacific trade framework

President Joe Biden launched a new Asia-Pacific trade initiative with 13 countries including India and Japan signing up. Biden formally unveiled the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework for Prosperity (IPEF) on his second day in Japan, where he is also holding talks with Prime Minister Fumio Kishida before joining a regional Quad summit on Tuesday. 

"This framework is a commitment to working with our close friends and partners in the region on challenges that matter most to ensuring economic competitiveness in the 21st century," he said. Click Here to read full story

US President Joe Biden met Japanese PM Fumio Kishida in Tokyo ahead of the unveiling of a multinational trade initiative on Monday. 

WION spoke to Tomohiko Taniguchi, former Special Advisor to the Cabinet of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. 

Watch this report: 

Japanese kid's fluent Hindi impresses Indian PM Narendra Modi, watch his reaction 

The Indian Prime Minister interacted with children, who were outside Hotel New Otani to welcome him. During the interaction, PM Modi looked impressed when a kid named Ritsuki Kobayashi spoke Hindi fluently while asking for his autograph. Click Here to read full report

Watch: QUAD Summit 2022: Indian PM Modi arrives in Japan, will attend diplomatic and community interactions

Closer India-Japan cooperation vital in the post-Covid-19 world, says Indian PM Modi

PM Modi lands in Japan

"Landed in Tokyo. Will be taking part in various programmes during this visit including the Quad Summit, meeting fellow Quad leaders, interacting with Japanese business leaders and the vibrant Indian diaspora," he tweeted. 

Image credit: Twitter/@narendramodi

Biden meets Japanese Emperor

US President Joe Biden, in Japan to launch a regional economic plan to counter China and reaffirm ties with a key Asian ally, began his visit on Monday by meeting with Emperor Naruhito.

The cornerstone of Biden's two-day visit, which includes meetings with the leaders of Japan, India and Australia, the "Quad," will be the rollout later on Monday of the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework, a broad plan providing an economic pillar to its engagement with Asia.

Biden arrived at the palace, where he was met by Naruhito, and the two exchanged greetings before they were ushered inside, both wearing white masks. 

India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi left for Japan on Sunday evening to attend the second in-person summit of the Quad leaders. 

PM Modi is scheduled to hold separate meetings on Monday with a number of leading corporate honchos including NEC Corporation chairman Nobuhiro Endo, Uniqlo president Tadashi Yanai, Suzuki Motor Corporation adviser Osamu Suzuki and Softbank Group Corporation board director Masayoshi Son.

PM Modi's agenda on the first day of his visit to Tokyo also includes a roundtable with Japanese business leaders and interaction with the Indian community.

WION reports from Tokyo: Despite no security goals, Quad understand China poses threat to Indo-Pacific

According to reports, India, the US, Japan and Australia have planned to launch a satellite-based maritime security system at the Tokyo summit to check China’s illegal fishing in the Indo-Pacific region.

PM Modi to be present at the launch of President Biden's Indo-Pacific Economic framework

Indo-Pacific Economic Framework(IPEF) is a US economic initiative that is seen to integrate Indo-Pacific economies.

The arrangement is expected to cover issues like supply chains, setting of standards and rules in the digital economy, clean energy transformation and infrastructure investments.

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Indian ambassador to Japan Sanjay Kumar Verma also said "we have a round table where we will have around 35 business leaders and they are quite big as companies, and in addition, leaders will be separately meeting PM." 

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India-Japan ties

Ahead of the Quad summit on May 24 in Tokyo, the Indian ambassador to Japan Sanjay Kumar Verma expressed confidence that the deliberations will boost strong strategic ties between the two nations while also helping in attracting investments.

"Japan is very much excited about opportunities in India, especially PLI schemes, so they need to understand us better, we need to understand them better," he said, talking to India-based news agency ANI.

On India’s wheat export ban, US NSA says food security to be discussed at Quad

Even as the food crisis looms large due to the Russian-Ukraine war coupled with climate change, United States National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan said that food security would be the topic of discussion in the third edition of the Quad Summit in Tokyo.

Biden had visited the US military base in Pyeongtaek in South Korea before departing for Japan.

Biden spent two days with South Korea's new President Yoon Suk-yeol, with beefing up the military defence against North Korea high on the agenda.

Yoon said he and Biden discussed possible "joint drills to prepare for a nuclear attack" and called for more US assets to be deployed to the region.

Biden lands in Japan on second leg of Asia trip

United States President Joe Biden landed in Japan on Sunday for the second leg of a trip to reinforce US alliances in Asia.

Biden, making his first trip to Asia as president, arrived at Yokota Air Base outside Tokyo, and will meet with Japan's prime minister and unveil a US-led trade initiative for the region on Monday, before joining a summit of the Quad regional grouping.

India's stance on Russia's invasion to come under lens at QUAD summit. Watch this report:

WION reports from Tokyo: Quad leaders to meet under shadow of Ukraine war, China threat

The leaders and the countries definitely have some decisions to take in light of the current geopolitical situation in the world. Click Here to read the full report

Indian PM Modi's statement ahead of the visit

"I will be visiting Tokyo, Japan from 23-24 May 2022 at the invitation of His Excellency Mr. Fumio Kishida, Prime Minister of Japan.

In March 2022, I had the pleasure of hosting Prime Minister Kishida for the 14th India-Japan Annual Summit. During my visit to Tokyo, I look forward to continuing our conversation further, with an aim to strengthen the India-Japan Special Strategic and Global Partnership.

In Japan, I will also participate in the second in-person Quad Leaders’ Summit, which will provide an opportunity for the leaders of the four Quad countries to review the progress of Quad initiatives. We will also exchange views about developments in the Indo-Pacific region and global issues of mutual interest."

Maritime initiative to curb illegal fishing in the Indo-Pacific

US, Japan, Australia, and India will unveil a maritime initiative at the Quad summit in Tokyo to curb illegal fishing in the Indo-Pacific, the Financial Times reported on Saturday (May 21), citing a US official. 

They said that the maritime initiative will use satellite technology to create a tracking system for illegal fishing from the Indian Ocean to the South Pacific by connecting surveillance centres in Singapore and India.  

The Quad grouping has been seen as intended to pressure China as it builds its economic and military weight in the region. 

WION's Palki Sharma Upadhyay is reorting live from Tokyo. Watch this report: 

Albanese to attend Quad summit

Australia's incoming Prime Minister Anthony Albanese also said that he will join the US, Japanese and Indian leaders for the Quad summit in two days. 

He said that he will attend the summit in Tokyo after members of his government team would be sworn in on Monday. Penny Wong, who is expected to be the foreign minister, might accompany him. 

Albanese said he would hold one-on-one meetings on Tuesday with Biden, Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and Indian PM Modi. Albanese said that after the joint talks, he would meet the trio individually. 

India's PM Narendra Modi will be attending the Quad summit on Tuesday.

PM Modi will also hold bilateral talks with other Quad leaders. Watch this report: 

Biden's Asia tour

US President Joe Biden, who is on Aisa tour to bolster Indi-Pasific ties, is set to arrive in Japan after his stop in Seoul.  

He will hold bilateral talks with PM Fumio Kishida and attend a meeting of the Quad grouping that includes Australia and India. 

History of Quad

The Quad dialogue was started in 2007 by then Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. It was supported by then Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, then Australian Prime Minister John Howard and then US Vice President Dick Cheney. 

What is Quad?

The Quadrilateral Security Dialogue or Quad is a strategic security dialogue between Australia, India, Japan, and the United States. Leaders of the mentioned countries hold talks to discuss global issues. 

Quad summit in Tokyo

The leaders of Japan, India, Australia and the United States meet in Tokyo on May 24. Australia's incoming prime minister Anthony Albanese, US President Joe Biden, Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi will hold joint as well as bilateral talks. 

They are expected to discuss a range of global issues, such as the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war and its worldwide impact, the climate change crisis, etc. They are also seeking common ground in countering China.