How PM Modi’s Border Standoff With China Influenced Xi Jinping To Skip G20 Summit In Delhi

PM Modi's Tough Talk On Border Issues A Key Factor In Xi Jinping's Decision To Skip G20 Summit In Delhi: Report

The upcoming G20 Summit in India, scheduled for September 9 and 10, will witness the participation of most of the world leaders, including US President Joe Biden, French President Emmanuel Macron, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and Japanese PM Fumio Kishida. However, one notable absentee from this crucial gathering will be Chinese President Xi Jinping, who has reportedly decided to skip the summit due to India's firm stance on border issues.

The Johannesburg Hard Talk

According to top government sources, one of the major reasons for Xi Jinping's absence from the G20 Summit in India is his reluctance to face a bilateral meeting with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who had confronted him on the border dispute during their brief encounter on the sidelines of the BRICS Summit in South Africa last month.

Prime Minister Modi had reportedly pressed Xi Jinping for clarity on China's position regarding the ongoing border standoff, which began in June 2020 after the deadly clashes in eastern Ladakh's Galwan Valley. Despite extensive diplomatic and military negotiations, Indian and Chinese troops remain in confrontation at certain friction points in eastern Ladakh. India has consistently emphasized the importance of maintaining peace and tranquillity along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) as a prerequisite for normalizing overall bilateral relations. Conversely, China has argued that the boundary issue should not define the entirety of the bilateral relationship and has called for progress on broader aspects of the relationship.

This direct confrontation by Prime Minister Modi has potentially influenced Xi Jinping's decision to skip the G20 Summit in India, as attending without engaging in bilateral talks with the host nation could have posed a diplomatic setback for the Chinese President. Furthermore, such a visit would not align with China's domestic political considerations, as India has made it clear that, similar to Pakistan, resolving border issues is a prerequisite for advancing trade discussions—a key element that Xi Jinping might have portrayed as a personal achievement to the Communist Party of China.

The Diplomatic Dilemma

Xi Jinping's decision to skip this summit is notable since he has attended all other in-person G20 summits since assuming the presidency in 2013, with the exception of the 2021 summit hosted by Saudi Arabia, which he joined via video link due to the COVID-19 pandemic². The G20 Summit is an important platform for global leaders to discuss and coordinate policies on major economic and political issues. By skipping this summit, Xi Jinping is not only missing an opportunity to showcase China's role and influence in global affairs, but also risking isolation from other major powers.

Sources added that with Russian President Vladimir Putin skipping the summit given frosty ties with the West over the Ukraine war, Xi Jinping would not want to share the stage with G7 nations — Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom and the United States — in New Delhi since Beijing and Moscow enjoy cordial ties². China and Russia have often presented themselves as a counterweight to the US-led Western bloc on various international issues. However, by avoiding the G20 Summit in India, Xi Jinping is also losing a chance to engage with Putin and other BRICS leaders on matters of mutual interest and concern.

Reports indicate that there is a possibility that China might send Premier Li Qiang as its representative to the G20 Summit in India. However, this would not be equivalent to Xi Jinping's presence, as he is widely regarded as the supreme leader of China who holds all the key positions of power. Moreover, sending a lower-level delegation could also be seen as a snub to India and a sign of disrespect to Prime Minister Modi.

The Future Prospects

The relationship between India and China has been strained significantly since the border standoff began in 2020. The two countries have also witnessed clashes on other fronts, such as trade, technology, security and diplomacy. The recent developments suggest that there is little hope for a breakthrough or a thaw in the near future. However, both sides have also maintained channels of communication and dialogue at various levels to prevent further escalation and manage differences.

The G20 Summit in India could have been an opportunity for both leaders to meet face-to-face and explore ways to resolve their disputes and restore trust. However, by choosing to skip this summit, Xi Jinping has sent a clear message that he is not willing to compromise or cooperate with India on border issues. This could have serious implications for the stability and security of the region and beyond. It remains to be seen how Prime Minister Modi will respond to this challenge and how India will deal with China's assertiveness and aggression.

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