Biden Fumbles and Snaps at Staff After Forgetting to Introduce Indian Prime Minister at Quad Summit

President Biden needed clarification during a Quad summit press conference on Saturday. Momentarily, he forgot which world leader he was supposed to introduce, prompting an awkward exchange.

The 81-year-old president, hosting the two-day event in Wilmington, Delaware, wrapped up his remarks before asking staff, “Who am I introducing next? Who’s next?” An announcer quickly clarified that India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi was next, allowing the prime minister to take the stage and shake hands with Biden.

U.S. President Joe Biden speaks as Australia’s Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi look on during a Cancer Moonshot event at the Quad leaders summit in Claymont, Delaware, U.S., September 21, 2024. AP

Attempting to ease the moment, Biden joked, “He’s from a small country like ours. A small population like ours,” referring to India, the world’s most populous nation, with over 1.4 billion people. The U.S., by contrast, has around 333 million people.

The Quad summit, which included leaders from the U.S., Japan, India, and Australia, was part of ongoing efforts to counter China’s growing influence in the Indo-Pacific. Biden’s gathering of critical allies occurred just before the United Nations General Assembly in New York and was likely the last Quad summit he would host during his presidency.

During the summit, Biden announced a significant extension of his Cancer Moonshot initiative, which aims to reduce cancer deaths globally. He unveiled a $150 million commitment from the four Quad countries for HPV screening and treatments.

We really don’t have a president.

Biden completely FORGOT he was at a press conference with the Prime Minister of India.

The entire world is laughing at us.
This guy is COOKED. pic.twitter.com/useM07uh0R

— Gunther Eagleman™ (@GuntherEagleman) September 21, 2024

“Next year, doctors and nurses in the U.S. Navy will begin a program to train Indo-Pacific counterparts in conducting cervical cancer screening and vaccination,” Biden said, emphasising the initiative’s potential impact on women’s health in the region.

However, the confusion increased public scrutiny over Biden’s age and mental sharpness. Throughout his presidency, the 81-year-old leader has faced questions about his ability to remain focused, with critics often pointing to gaffes or forgetfulness during speeches and public events.

U.S. President Joe Biden speaks as Australia’s Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi look on during a Cancer Moonshot event at the Quad leaders summit in Claymont, Delaware, U.S., September 21, 2024. REUTERS

Notably, Biden missed shaking hands with Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva at the United Nations last year, further fueling concerns about his capacity to manage high-profile diplomatic engagements. Some within the Democratic Party have doubts about Biden pursuing a second term, suggesting he might reconsider his re-election campaign.

At 81, Biden is already the oldest president in U.S. history, and his potential 2024 opponent, former President Donald Trump, could surpass that record if re-elected. The president’s age has become a significant talking point in political circles as the 2024 election approaches.

Despite these concerns, Biden used the Quad summit to emphasise the enduring importance of U.S. alliances in the Indo-Pacific. “Our countries are more strategically aligned than ever,” Biden said. “While challenges will come, the world will change because the Quad is here to stay.”

Later this week, Biden is set to meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky during the latter’s fifth public visit to the U.S. since Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022. Zelensky will present a “Plan for Victory” to Biden and meet with Vice President Kamala Harris. During his visit, Zelensky will address the UN General Assembly during its 79th session in New York City.

On Tuesday, Biden will deliver remarks at the UN and engage with other world leaders throughout the week. After the November 5 presidential election, Biden is also expected to attend his final Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in Peru and his last G20 summit, scheduled to take place in Brazil. These events will likely mark some of Biden’s final international engagements before the end of his presidency.