The official noted that the Quad met at foreign minister level under the previous administration of Donald Trump, who is running against Vice President Kamala Harris in November, andenjoyed bipartisan support, as reflected by the formation of a congressional Quad Caucus ahead of the summit.

Leaders of Australia, India, Japan and the United States expanded joint security steps in Asia's trade-rich waters as outgoing US President Joe Biden hosted counterparts from the Quad grouping.

The Quad Summit on Saturday in Delaware is poised to announce the expansion of their joint maritime security operations