Quad Virtual Leaders' Summit Confirmed For 0900ET/1400GMT/2300JST

The leaders of the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (the 'Quad') have confirmed that a virtual summit will be held later today at 0900ET/1400GMT/2300JST. US President Joe Biden, Japanese PM Fumio Kishida, Indian PM Narendra Modi, and Australian PM Scott Morrison are all due to be in attendance.

• The Quad leaders are due to discuss the Ukraine crisis, with potential cracks emerging in the Indo-Pacific alliance.
• Australia and Japan have both been vocal supporters of Ukraine and of US sanctions, with both nations imposing their own restrictions on Russia or joining in with the US and Europe in their sanctions.
• India, however, has proved more circumspect. In votes on UN resolutions condemning the actions of Russia, India has abstained on two occassions rather than side with the US and its allies.
• India's position as part of the long-standing Non-Aligned Movement, as well as Indian reliance on Russian military equipment and India's complicated territorial relationship with neighbouring states all seen to be factors in PM Modi's position.
• Politico reporting today that there is "widespread disgust" towards Modi over his gov'ts ambivalent stance towards Putin's actions.