As India gears up for the much-anticipated G20 summit, scheduled from 7 to 10 September 2023 in New Delhi, there’s an interesting twist on the global stage. China has officially communicated to the Indian authorities that President Xi Jinping will not be in attendance. Instead, the Chinese delegation will be led by Chinese Premier Li Qiang.
“The Chinese President is not traveling to India for the G-20 Summit,” sources familiar with the matter were quoted in reports. They also noted that leaders may skip such summits for various reasons, and these decisions shouldn’t be interpreted as reflecting anything about the host country.
Now, you might be wondering, what’s all the fuss about? Well, it’s worth noting that President Vladimir Putin is also notably absent from the current summit, choosing to send Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov in his place.
But here’s where it gets intriguing. The Chinese Foreign Ministry announced that Premier Li Qiang will attend a summit of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) scheduled from September 5 to 8. This development was reported by the Global Times.
“At the invitation of President Joko Widodo of Indonesia, the current ASEAN chair, Chinese Premier Li Qiang will attend the 26th China-ASEAN Summit, the 26th ASEAN Plus Three Summit, and the 18th East Asia Summit to be held in Jakarta, and pay an official visit to Indonesia from September 5 to 8,” the Chinese Foreign Ministry statement read.
Now, you might be wondering if this is a mere coincidence. Interestingly, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be attending both the G20 Summit in New Delhi and the ASEAN-related events in Jakarta in person.
This alignment of high-level meetings involving both India and China is generating significant interest and speculation among political analysts and the media. While the absence of a country’s leader at such international gatherings is not uncommon, the timing and the simultaneous presence of leaders from these two nations at different events in the region have raised eyebrows.
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These developments come against the backdrop of various geopolitical dynamics and ongoing tensions between India and China. Both countries have had their share of border disputes, including the infamous Galwan standoff.
The decision by President Xi Jinping to skip the G20 Summit and send Premier Li Qiang in his place might be seen as an effort to maintain a certain level of engagement while avoiding the spotlight on some of these contentious matters. Besides, given the sheer turmoil Chinese economy is in, Jinping does have some excuses to save his face with.
On the other hand, Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s active participation in both the G20 Summit and the ASEAN-related meetings showcases India’s commitment to regional and global diplomacy.
The ASEAN region is crucial for India’s “Act East” policy, which seeks to strengthen economic and strategic ties with Southeast Asian nations. India’s active involvement in ASEAN-related events indicates its focus on regional cooperation and connectivity, which align with the country’s broader foreign policy goals.
While the absence of top leaders at international summits is not unusual, the equation of leaders from India and China at different events in the region has sparked interest and speculation. These developments reflect the evolving dynamics of global diplomacy and the strategic interests of nations in the Asia-Pacific region. It will be interesting to observe the outcomes and discussions at both the G20 Summit in New Delhi and the ASEAN-related meetings in Jakarta in the coming days.
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