As India gears up to host G20 Summit 2023 in New Delhi, U.S. President Joe Biden has expressed his excitement about his upcoming visit to India for the G20 Summit. However, his enthusiasm is tinged with disappointment as Chinese President Xi Jinping has decided not to attend the summit in New Delhi.
The White House announced on Friday that President Biden is scheduled to travel to India on September 7th to take part in the G20 Summit. On September 8th, he will engage in a bilateral meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the sidelines of this historic gathering.
India, currently holding the G20 presidency, is hosting the annual summit of this influential group on September 9th and 10th in New Delhi.
G20 Summit 2023 India: President Xi’s Absence Reverberates
Reporters questioned President Biden on Sunday regarding his feelings about his impending visits to India and Vietnam. He responded, “Yes, I am,” confirming his anticipation for the visits. However, he didn’t hide his disappointment at President Xi’s absence from the New Delhi summit, saying, “I am disappointed, but I am going to get to see him,” when asked about it.
The G20 Summit in New Delhi will be attended by more than two dozen world leaders, with Prime Minister Modi as the host.
Leaders’ Attendance Uncertainty
Recent media reports suggest that Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi are unlikely to attend the summit. India is awaiting written confirmation from China regarding President Xi’s participation in the G20 Leaders Summit, according to Muktesh Pardeshi, Special Secretary for G20 Summit 2023.
Pardeshi explained, “We have seen some reports in the newspapers. But, we go by written confirmation. And we have not seen (a written confirmation). Unless we see that I am not in a position to say either way,” in response to questions about Xi skipping the G20 meeting and deputing Prime Minister Li Qiang for the event.
Premier Li is expected to travel to India after attending the East Asia summit in Jakarta. Notably, in 2021, Chinese President Xi did not attend the G20 summit in Italy due to China’s COVID-19 restrictions.
Awaiting Diplomatic Notes
Mr. Pardeshi emphasized that world leaders’ participation in summits like the G20 is usually conveyed through a diplomatic note. “I think that is awaited…We have received most of the other confirmations,” he stated regarding Mr. Xi’s participation.
Several prominent leaders, including President Biden, French President Emmanuel Macron, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, and Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, have already confirmed their attendance at the G20 Summit 2023.
Prime Minister Modi is set to hand over the G20 Presidency to Brazilian President Lula on September 10th, marking Brazil’s formal assumption of the presidency on December 1st. The G20 member countries represent approximately 85 percent of global GDP, over 75 percent of global trade, and about two-thirds of the world’s population.
The G20 comprises Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, the Republic of Korea, Mexico, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Turkey, the UK, the US, and the European Union (EU).
