President Biden and leaders in India, Japan and Australia on Friday are banding together to boost COVID-19 vaccine supply in Asian countries, according to multiple reports.
The joint effort between the US and the so-called “Quad” alliance — short for Quadrilateral Security Dialogue — will be announced during a virtual meeting, a senior administration official told Fox News.
Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga speaks during a news conference in Tokyo, Japan March 5, 2021. Yuichi Yamazaki/Pool via ReutersThe deal seeks to address vaccine shortages in Southeast Asia and develop 1 billion vaccines by 2022. It will also establish a senior-level group of vaccination experts.
The 90-minute meeting will be moderated by Secretary of State Tony Blinken and attended by Biden, Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga.
Australia’s Prime Minister Scott Morrison will participate in the inaugural Quad leaders meeting with President Biden, Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Dean Lewins/Pool via APOther topics of discussion will include the Paris Climate Accord, which Biden re-entered on his first day in office, trade and economic cooperation, climate change and technology development.
Suga will be the first world leader to visit Biden at the White House, according to administration officials. Details of that meeting have not been determined.
India’s prime minister, Narendra Modi, during a press conference on Jan. 29, 2021. T. Narayan/Bloomberg via Getty ImagesMeanwhile, Blinken and Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin will travel to meet with their Japan and South Korea counterparts in the coming days, Fox News said.
