QUAD Summit: US President Biden Requests Modi’s Autograph, Acknowledging PM’s Popularity

TOKYO: In a lighthearted moment during the Quad meeting held in Japan, US President Joe Biden playfully remarked that he should take Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s autograph. The comment came after Biden and Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese discussed their challenges in managing an overwhelming number of requests from prominent citizens seeking to attend events where PM Modi would be speaking.

According to sources present at the meeting, President Biden approached PM Modi and shared his struggle in accommodating the deluge of requests he has received from various individuals eager to attend events featuring the Indian Prime Minister. Similarly, Australian Prime Minister Albanese expressed his own difficulties in meeting the demand for tickets to a community reception in Sydney, even though the venue had a capacity of 20,000 people.

Reflecting on his own experiences during visits to India, PM Modi recollected observing how effortlessly PM Modi handled large crowds. In response, President Biden, as reported by ANI, humorously suggested, “I should take your autograph.”

The interaction took place on the sidelines of the Group of Seven (G7) summit in Japan, where PM Modi and other Quad leaders gathered to discuss matters of global significance. During the meeting, PM Modi extended an invitation to host the Quad summit in India in 2024, emphasizing the group’s commitment to promoting the global good, welfare of people, prosperity, and peace.

PM Modi’s upcoming schedule includes interactions with Australian CEOs, business leaders, and Indian expats at a community event in Sydney, followed by a state visit to the United States in June, at the invitation of President Biden and First Lady Jill Biden. Notably, a state dinner at the White House will be hosted in honor of PM Modi during his visit.

The anecdote shared by President Biden highlights the remarkable popularity and influence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, both within India and on the global stage. Biden praised PM Modi’s significant impact on various issues, including climate change and the Indo-Pacific region.

In continuation of his efforts to strengthen India’s ties with Pacific Island nations, PM Modi is set to visit Papua New Guinea, where he will be received by Prime Minister James Marape. This visit aims to expand India’s outreach in the region and foster collaboration through the Forum for India-Pacific Islands Cooperation (FIPIC) Summit in Port Moresby. Leaders from 14 countries will convene at the summit to discuss common areas of interest.

PM Modi’s foreign visits have often served as platforms to promote Indian culture and enhance bilateral relations. During his recent visit to Japan, he unveiled a statue of Mahatma Gandhi in Hiroshima, while in Papua New Guinea, he plans to release the Thirukkural, a classic Tamil language text, translated into the local language of Tok Pisin.

Furthermore, in a gesture of recognition and respect for the vibrant Indian community in Australia, the Harris Park area in Sydney’s Parramatta suburb is set to be officially designated as “Little India” during PM Modi’s visit.

As the Quad meeting concludes in Japan, the friendly banter between President Biden and PM Modi adds a touch of warmth and camaraderie to the diplomatic engagements, further solidifying the bond between the two nations.