Quad

Covid-19 vaccine production and distribution, supply chain resilience in critical and emerging technologies like semiconductors and 5G telecom networks are tipped to be top of the agenda. For India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Quad meeting will be bookended by a Covid-19 summit convened by Biden and Modi's own speech at the UN General Assembly, on Saturday.

Speaking at the UN General Assembly Summit, Biden said, "We elevated the Quad partnership among Australia, India, Japan and the United States to take on challenges ranging from health security to climate to emerging technologies, engaging with regional institutions."

India's External Affairs Ministry, in a statement after the virtual meeting, said: "The Officials discussed issues of common interest and explored possibilities of collaboration in resilient supply chains, emerging and critical technologies, maritime security, cyber security, counter-terrorism, infrastructure and connectivity, higher education, climate change and humanitarian assistance and disaster relief."

Writing in Foreign Affairs, Rudd, Asia Society's president and CEO argues that the group formed by Japan, Australia, India, and the U.S. poses a major threat to Beijing's ambitions. "But the worst-case scenario from Beijing's perspective is that the Quad could serve as the foundation of a broader global anti-Chinese coalition.

The US investments in Africa until now have remained muted but as the geopolitical thrust is fast shifting towards the Indo-Pacific region, Washington has started increasing its engagements in the continent. As the world rises up to Africa's potential and importance, China will face increased competition, which is making it worried.