NEW DELHI: Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said that the Quad meeting in Sydney next week will not take place without US President Joe Biden, who cancelled his trip to Australia due to debt limit talks in Washington.

“The Quad leaders meeting will not be going ahead in Sydney next week. We, though will be having that discussion between Quad leaders in Japan,” Australian PM told a news conference.

Meanwhile, White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said in a statement, “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. Biden spoke to Australian Prime Minister Albanese earlier today to inform him that he will be postponing his trip to Australia.  He also invited the Prime Minister for an official state visit at a time to be agreed by the teams. The President’s team engaged with the Prime Minister of Papua New Guinea’s team to inform them as well.” 

She said that revitalizing and reinvigorating our alliances and advancing partnerships like the Quad remains a key priority for the President. This is vital to our ability to advance our foreign policy goals and better promote global stability and prosperity. We look forward to finding other ways to engage with Australia, the Quad, Papua New Guinea and the leaders of the Pacific Islands Forum in the coming year, she added.

“The President has made clear that members of Congress from both parties and chambers must come together to prevent default, as they have (done) 78 times before. The President and his team will continue to work with Congressional leadership to deliver a budget agreement that can reach the President’s desk,” the statement added.