Biden Hosts Final Quad Summit in Wilmington, Marking the End of His Presidency

This weekend, U.S. President Joe Biden will welcome the leaders of Australia, Japan, and India to his Delaware home for the final summit of the Quad—a four-nation alliance aimed at counterbalancing China. The summit marks the end of Biden’s presidency following his decision to step aside from the 2024 race, passing the Democratic leadership torch to Vice President Kamala Harris.

Biden chose Wilmington, Delaware, his hometown, as the venue for the Quad’s farewell gathering, which will feature a series of intimate one-on-one meetings and a group summit. The discussions will focus heavily on China, amid escalating tensions with Beijing over issues such as the South China Sea disputes.

The weekend will kick off with a private meeting between Biden and Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on Friday night, followed by separate discussions with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida on Saturday. Later, Biden will host an “intimate” dinner and a formal four-way summit at his former high school.

“This will be President Biden’s first time hosting foreign leaders in Wilmington as president—a reflection of his deep personal relationships with each of the Quad leaders,” said White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre.

Notably absent will be Vice President Harris, who is not attending the summit.

A Counterbalance to China

The Quad grouping, officially established in 2007, has been strongly advocated by Biden as part of his broader strategy to re-engage with global alliances after the isolationist foreign policy of former President Donald Trump. The four nations—often seen as key players in countering China’s growing influence—are expected to focus on shared challenges posed by the People’s Republic of China (PRC), particularly in relation to maritime security and territorial disputes.

“It will certainly be high on the agenda,” said National Security Council spokesman John Kirby, emphasizing the group’s unified stance on the increasing challenges from China.

This comes as recent confrontations between Chinese and Philippine vessels in the South China Sea have raised concerns over regional stability, adding further urgency to Quad discussions.

Limited Press Access Sparks Criticism

While the summit promises to address significant global issues, the White House has faced backlash for offering limited press access throughout the weekend. Reporters speculated that Indian Prime Minister Modi, who is known for his media aversion, may have influenced this decision. Modi had only taken two press questions during a state visit to the White House in 2023, and has avoided open press conferences in India during his nine years in power.

Despite the criticism, White House officials assured that President Biden would not avoid addressing human rights concerns during his conversations with Modi, who has faced accusations of increasing authoritarianism in India. “There’s not a conversation that [Biden] has with foreign leaders where he doesn’t talk about the importance of respecting human and civil rights, and that includes with Prime Minister Modi,” Kirby noted.

A Personal Farewell for Biden

Biden’s Wilmington home, where the meetings will take place, is of great personal significance to the president. He often spends weekends there, away from the confines of the White House. The residence made headlines in 2022 when classified documents were discovered in its garage, but Biden was not charged in connection with the incident.

India is set to host the next Quad summit in 2025, leaving the future of the alliance in the hands of Biden’s successor.

This farewell summit will not only be a final diplomatic hurrah for Biden but also a closing chapter for the Quad under his leadership, which he has championed as a key pillar of his foreign policy to maintain balance in the Indo-Pacific region.