Quad summit postponed to Nov, date yet to be finalised

THE SUMMIT WAS EARLIER EXPECTED TO BE HELD IN SEPT BUT SCHEDULING ISSUES DEFERRED THE PLANS

- Rezaul H Laskar

NEW DELHI: The Quad Leaders Summit is expected to be held in November, with the four members of the grouping now focused on giving shape to an agenda to bolster economic security and maritime security, people familiar with the matter said.

The Quad Leaders Summit, which will be hosted by India this year, was earlier expected to be held in September but scheduling and logistical issues have resulted in plans to hold the meet later in the year, the people familiar with planning for the meeting said on condition of anonymity. However, dates are yet to be finalised for the summit, they said.

Some Quad members believed September wouldn't be ideal for holding the summit because the focus would be on the UN General Assembly in New York, and the people pointed out that Japan is set to hold elections for the upper chamber of the Diet or the Parliament in July, leaving little time for preparations for a summit.