Xi Jinping skipping Delhi G20 summit, his first miss, looks weird for a global leader

As the G20 Summit in New Delhi approaches, it has been confirmed that Chinese President Xi Jinping will not be attending the event. Instead, Premier Li Qiang is set to lead the Chinese delegation to the summit, as announced by the Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson on Monday, September 4.

This would mark the first time when Xi is not attending the summit in person, barring the two years of the pandemic when all leaders met virtually.

Xi now becomes the second head of state of the grouping to opt out of travelling to New Delhi, following Russian President Vladimir Putin, who is occupied with 'special military operations' in Ukraine. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been informed about his absence.

Chinese spokesperson Mao Ning, however, did not provide a clear reason for Xi's absence from the G20 Summit. Additionally, Xi will also not participate in the upcoming ASEAN-India and East Asia summits.

This clarification by the Chinese follows speculation and reports regarding Xi's absence from the summit on September 9 and 10, prompting discussions about its implications among observers and experts.

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Absence: a subject of speculation

• Some experts suggest that this move reflects Xi's concerns and insecurities on the world stage.
• Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic and the border clash between Indian and Chinese forces in Eastern Ladakh, Xi Jinping has remained largely isolated from international diplomacy.
• While he did attend a few international events in 2022, this year, 2023, he attended the BRICS Summit in Johannesburg, which appeared to be a more comfortable platform for China to assert its influence.
• The G20, attended by prominent figures from the Western bloc and its allies, might not be the gathering Xi would prefer to attend.

Global backlash

• China has faced a backlash due to its handling of issues, including the recent territorial claims in the South China Sea, which have led to friction with several ASEAN nations.  
• This may have also influenced Xi's decision to skip the ASEAN-India and East Asia summits in Jakarta, which are due to take place right before the G20 Summit.
• Indonesia, a G20 member as well as an ASEAN member has been openly critical of Chinese claim and aggression in the South China Sea.

Domestic woes

• Another factor possibly resulting in Xi's absence could be the ongoing economic problems in China and reports of factionalism within the Chinese Communist Party (CCP).
• Xi might also be facing some resistance back home, as evident from the removal of a few senior military commanders and "stability" speeches.

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Modi's diplomacy

• In contrast to Xi's silence, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been frequently travelling abroad and actively engaging in diplomatic efforts. He even spoke to Xi about border de-escalation on the sidelines of the BRICS Summit 2023.
• Modi, taking up China's aggressive misadventures among the G20 members could lead to a major embarrassment for the CCP chief.

Biden 'disappointed'

• US President Joe Biden expressed disappointment over Xi Jinping's absence at the G20 Summit. While Biden looks forward to his trip to India for the summit, he mentioned that he would meet Xi later in the year during the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum meeting in San Francisco, USA.
• Biden is scheduled to meet with Prime Minister Modi on the sidelines of the G20 Summit too.

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