New Delhi, August 31, 2023: Amidst the ongoing speculation over whether Chinese President Xi Jinping will attend the G20 Summit hosted by India next month, Beijing is yet to confirm his participation, as reported by insiders familiar with the matter on Thursday.
The uncertainty arises amidst a strained India-China relationship marked by a prolonged military standoff on the Line of Actual Control (LAC). More than 50,000 troops from both sides have been deployed in Ladakh sector of the LAC, escalating tensions.
The sources, speaking anonymously, highlighted that the official confirmation from the Chinese side regarding Xi’s attendance at the G20 Summit, scheduled in New Delhi from September 9-10, is still awaited. One source stated, “As of yesterday [Wednesday], there was no confirmation about the Chinese president’s participation in the G20 Summit.”
Reuters also reported, citing unnamed Indian officials and foreign diplomats, that Xi is likely to skip the summit and that Premier Li Qiang could represent China instead.
The India-China relationship has been further strained after differing accounts of a conversation between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Xi on the margins of the Brics Summit in Johannesburg last week. While India emphasized the bilateral nature of the meeting, China presented it as held at India’s request.
The G20 Summit was anticipated to provide a platform for potential meetings between Xi and other global leaders, including Prime Minister Modi and US President Joe Biden.
Efforts to resolve the border standoff have struggled to make significant progress despite multiple rounds of diplomatic and military talks. Amidst these diplomatic complexities, the absence or presence of Xi Jinping at the G20 Summit holds implications for regional dynamics.
Both the Indian and Chinese governments are yet to provide official statements regarding Xi’s participation in the summit, adding to the uncertainty surrounding the event.
