Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has arrived in Philadelphia ahead of a series of crucial diplomatic meetings including the QUAD Leaders Summit.
PM Albanese met with US President Joe Biden ahead of the summit and emphasised the importance of the Australia-US relationship
Speaking to the media, Albanese said that the summit is an opportunity for him to talk directly to his friends Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Japanese PM Fumio Kishida.
In light of recent reports concerning espionage activities allegedly linked to India, Albanese affirmed that sensitive matters like these would be handled diplomatically.
Albanese stressed the strong and growing relationship between Australia and India, noting their shared economic goals and the significant contribution of the Indian-Australian diaspora to Australia’s multicultural landscape.
Albanese emphasised the importance of the Quad as a collective force for good in the region, underscoring its commitment to common objectives such as security and opportunity. He highlighted that discussions over the next few days will focus on supporting developing nations in the region, particularly around climate action, energy security, and improvements in health and education.
“The Quad is an important body committed to peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific. It’s also about opportunity, and we’ll be discussing how to support developing nations in the region, including action on climate change,” Albanese said.
When asked about the potential impact of a possible Trump victory in the upcoming US election, Albanese downplayed concerns, stressing that the Australia-US relationship is built on shared values rather than individual leaders. “The relationship between our two great nations was forged during World War Two, and it will continue regardless of who is in the White House,” he assured.
The Prime Minister acknowledged that China’s growing influence in the region will be a key topic during the Quad discussions. However, he reiterated Australia’s position of balancing cooperation and disagreement with China in its national interest. “We will cooperate when we can, disagree where we must, but always engage in our national interest,” Albanese said.
In his one-on-one meeting with President Biden, Albanese plans to discuss a range of issues, including the AUKUS security pact, the economic ties between the two countries, and broader US engagement in the Indo-Pacific.
Albanese praised Biden’s leadership and commitment to the region, noting that the US is Australia’s largest investor.
The Prime Minister addressed questions about his absence from the upcoming United Nations General Assembly, citing domestic responsibilities and a prioritisation of essential international engagements.
“I have prioritised the visits I need to make. The UN is important, but Foreign Minister Penny Wong will represent Australia, and I’m confident she will do a fantastic job,” he explained.
Albanese concluded by promising to address key domestic issues, including cost-of-living pressures, when he returns to Canberra next week. He expressed gratitude to the journalists covering the Quad meeting, acknowledging the importance of their reporting on these significant international events.
The Quad, comprising Australia, the United States, India, and Japan, is focused on promoting peace, stability, and security in the Indo-Pacific region.
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