Xi's absence raises doubts about the future of the G20
G20 summit. Spin doctors are at pains to push the unofficial line that Xi’s absence isn’t a big deal for New Delhi by, among other things, deflecting the public gaze to what Indian diplomacy calls “bandobast" and has perfected like an art. But all the intricate details of the décor at the venue, the logistics, the vegetarian-only menus, the silverware, and how the capital has been lit up in hot pink cannot change the fact that Xi’s absence is significant.
It’s a setback to India’s presidency and raises doubts about the future of the G20 itself. India’s presidency is already disappointing for failing to secure a single final statement so far. The G20 works only by consensus, something that has eluded the sharply divided member countries.
Russia and China have said there should be no references to the Ukraine war in G20 deliberations and declarations, but G7 members have insisted on this. As a result, the discussions during the presidency – on themes ranging from climate change to reform of multilateral lending institutions — have not manifested in final statements. It was hoped that Indian negotiators would somehow be able to narrow the differences and manage to bring the G7 and Russia and China to the table in time for the New Delhi summit – the only way to ensure that the New Delhi summit could produce a Leaders Declaration.
But the chances of that happening are now dim. Every G20 summit held so far has resulted in a Leader’s Declaration. It would be unprecedented in the group’s history if none comes out of the New Delhi summit.
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