“Trump should attend the Quad Summit in India…” US lawmakers appeal to US President

New Delhi: A group of bipartisan US lawmakers has written a letter to President Donald Trump urging him to personally attend the Quad Leaders’ Summit in India and other important Asian meetings. Representative Gregory W. Meeks, Ranking Member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, led the initiative.

The letter was also signed by East Asia and Pacific Subcommittee Chairwoman Young Kim and Ranking Member Ami Bera, and South and Central Asia Subcommittee Chairman Bill Huizenga and Ranking Member Sydney Kamleger-Dove.

The lawmakers wrote in the letter, “The Indo-Pacific region is vital to America’s security and prosperity, and it is also central to our strategic competition with China. At a time when Beijing is rapidly expanding its influence in the region, your personal presence at the three multilateral summits this autumn: the East Asia Summit (Malaysia), the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Summit (South Korea), and the Quad Leaders’ Summit (India) – is essential to demonstrate clear US leadership and counter China’s ambitions.”

QUAD is crucial to advancing shared interests in the Indo-Pacific region
The letter further states that the Quad grouping is a “central cornerstone” for advancing America’s interests. “Our Quad partnership with Australia, Japan, and India serves as a key cornerstone for advancing shared interests in the Indo-Pacific region,” it states.

Appeal to Trump to Maintain US Leadership in the Quad
The letter follows an amendment added by Democratic Congresswoman Sydney Kamleger-Dove to the Department of State Policy Provisions Act. The amendment urges Trump to maintain his leadership in the Quad and personally participate in the Quad Leaders Summit later this year.
The lawmakers believe Trump’s presence will strengthen America’s strategic influence in Asia and send a message to allies that the United States remains committed to the region for the long term.