Washington: Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced that the Quad summit scheduled to take place in Sydney next week is cancelled as US President Joe Biden postponed his trip to Australia due to ongoing debt ceiling negotiations in Washington.
Albanese stated that the leaders of Australia, US, India, and Japan would instead convene at the G7 summit in Japan this weekend. Biden had canceled his visit to Sydney, which was part of his planned Asia trip that also included a stop in Papua New Guinea.
“The Quad leaders meeting will not be taking place in Sydney next week. However, we will have discussions among Quad leaders in Japan,” Albanese informed reporters during a press conference.
President Biden will return to the US on Sunday after attending the G7 summit for meetings with Congressional leaders to ensure that Congress takes action by the deadline to avert default.
“President Biden will return to the United States on Sunday, following the completion of the G7 summit, in order to be back for meetings with Congressional leaders to ensure that Congress takes action by the deadline to avert default. The President spoke to Prime Minister Albanese earlier today to inform him that he will be postponing his trip to Australia,” White House said in a statement.
However, PM Modi is still likely to travel to Sydney and involve in bilateral programme with his Australian counterpart.