India pledges $7.5 million for cancer moonshot at Quad summit

The US, Australia, India, and Japan, members of the Quad grouping, have united to combat cancer, beginning with cervical cancer.

New Delhi has committed $7.5 million to the initiative.

The four nations agreed to lay the groundwork to address other forms of cancer as well, as part of a broader set of announcements made at the Quad leaders’ summit in Wilmington, Delaware, over the weekend.

“The Quad Cancer Moonshot will serve to strengthen the overall cancer care ecosystem in the Indo-Pacific by improving health infrastructure, expanding research collaborations, building data systems, and providing greater support for cancer prevention, detection, treatment, and care,” a statement said.

Cervical cancer, while preventable through vaccination and usually treatable if detected early, remains the third leading cause of cancer deaths among women in the Indo-Pacific region.

Fewer than one in 10 women in the Indo-Pacific have completed their human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination series, and fewer than 10% have undergone recent screening. Many countries in the region face challenges related to healthcare access, limited resources, and disparities in vaccination rates.

Through the initiative, Quad countries will work to address these gaps by promoting HPV vaccination, increasing access to screenings, and expanding treatment options and care in underserved areas, the statement said.

“India’s vision is “One Earth, One Health,” Prime Minister Narendra Modi said during the summit.

“In this spirit, I am pleased to announce our contribution of $7.5 million for sampling kits, detection kits, and vaccines under the Quad Moonshot Initiative. India will also offer support in radiotherapy treatment and capacity building,” he said.

Through the initiatives of the Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunization (GAVI) and Quad, India will contribute 40 million vaccine doses for Indo-Pacific countries.

“As you can see, when the Quad acts, it is not just for nations – it is for the people. This is the true essence of our human-centric approach,” Modi said.

Earlier, Modi said the Quad “is not against anyone” and will “support a rules-based global order, respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity, and the peaceful resolution of all issues.”

This year’s summit was hosted by US President Joe Biden and attended by Australia Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, apart from Modi.

Modi said the group stood for upholding global order based on the rule of law, respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity, and with a commitment to pursue peaceful resolution of disputes.

Joint initiatives launched during the summit included those for maritime training, ship observer missions, sustainable port development, digital infrastructure, and strengthening semiconductor supply chains in the Indo-Pacific.

As part of Quad collective to boost energy efficiency, high-efficiency affordable cooling systems in the Indo-Pacific region will be taken up, a statement said.

India’s launch of a space-based web portal for Mauritius to monitor weather and climate impacts, and a new STEM fellowship for Indo-Pacific students to study engineering in India were among the announcements made at the summit.

In the US,  Modi met Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas on Sunday and expressed India’s support for the restoration of peace and stability in the region.

Modi met Abbas on the on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly session.

Among other world leaders, he also met Kuwaiti Crown Prince Sheikh Sabah Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah and Nepalese Prime Minister KP Oli.

In a post on X (formerly Twitter) he said, “Met President Mahmoud Abbas in New York. Reiterated India’s support for the early restoration of peace and stability in the region. Exchanged views of further strengthening long-standing friendship with the people of Palestine,” Modi said.

Met President Mahmoud Abbas in New York. Reiterated India’s support for early restoration of peace and stability in the region. Exchanged views of further strengthening long standing friendship with the people of Palestine. pic.twitter.com/LnmAm7dDax

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) September 23, 2024

“PM Modi expressed deep concern at the humanitarian situation in Gaza and reaffirmed India’s continued support to the people of Palestine,” ministry of external affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said in a post on X, while sharing details of Modi’s meeting with Abbas.

Modi, who is on three-day official trip to the US, arrived in New York on Saturday, after attending the 6th Quad leaders’ summit in Delaware.

Modi addressed the Indian community in New York’s Nassau Coliseum. and said that in his third term, he has set a goal to make India a developed nation.

“We are also a strong voice of the Global South. Today when India says something on a global platform, the world listens. Some time ago, when I said that this is not the era of war, its severity was understood by all,” he added.