Biden Mentions 'Quad' for the First Time During Call with Modi (Summary)

Expansion of Pressure on China Ultimately Mentions Anti-China Alliance 'Quad'
Possible Pressure on Korean Government to Join
To Japan: "Tokyo Olympics Must Be Based on Science"

[Image source=AP Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy New York=Correspondent Baek Jong-min] U.S. President Joe Biden directly mentioned the 'Quad' for the first time since his inauguration during a call with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, intensifying pressure on China.

The White House disclosed on the 8th (local time) that the two leaders had a phone conversation, stating, "President Biden and Prime Minister Modi agreed on a free and open Indo-Pacific policy that includes freedom of navigation, territorial integrity, and strengthening regional power based on the Quad." The Quad is an anti-China alliance launched by the U.S. including Japan, Australia, and India to counter China.

President Biden had previously spoken with the leaders of Japan and Australia, both Quad members, but this is the first time he explicitly used the term 'Quad.' Earlier, Secretary of State Antony Blinken emphasized the importance of the Quad during a call with Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi, but the mention of the Quad in a presidential-level call is seen as a sign that Biden's pressure on China is becoming more serious. Jake Sullivan, White House National Security Council (NSC) Advisor, recently stated, "(The Quad) will be the fundamental basis for establishing U.S. policy in the Pacific region."

Instead of Chinese President Xi Jinping, President Biden first spoke with Quad member countries and allied leaders such as South Korea. This is interpreted as a move based on the Biden administration's diplomatic and security policy stance of pressuring China through alliances. The day before, President Biden said, "President Xi is not democratic," and added, "I will speak with him when the opportunity arises." White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki explained at a regular briefing that Biden has not yet spoken with President Xi because of a "strategy to engage allies first and consult with Congress."

Since last year, the U.S. has shown intentions to expand the Quad into an Asian security framework similar to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). There have also been calls to expand the Quad to a 'Quad Plus' by including countries such as South Korea and Vietnam.

With the U.S. officially mentioning the Quad in a presidential-level call, the possibility of increased pressure on the Moon Jae-in administration cannot be ruled out. Japanese media recently reported that the U.S. is pushing for a Quad summit.

Meanwhile, President Biden also expressed his views on the Tokyo Olympics for the first time. He stated, "The safety of the Olympics should be based on science. We need to wait and see." Amid the Japanese government's and International Olympic Committee's (IOC) determination to proceed with the games, AFP reported that President Biden's position is that it is still uncertain whether the U.S. will send a team to the Tokyo Olympics.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.