The 18th G20 summit took place in New Delhi, presided over by India with the theme “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam,” a Sanskrit phrase that means “the world is one family.”
This was an occasion for world leaders to chart a plan to promote world peace, security and development. In doing so, G20 member countries held detailed discussions and issued a joint declaration covering important issues, including promoting strong, sustainable, balanced and inclusive growth; unlocking trade; ensuring well-managed, regular and skills-based migration pathways; advancing financial inclusion; fighting corruption; accelerating progress on sustainable development goals; delivering on climate and sustainable finance and reinvigorating multilateralism.
Mention of these issues in the G20 New Delhi Leaders’ Declaration is significant, but the summit also attracted global attention due to the absence of Chinese President Xi Jinping (習近平). Xi’s decision to not attend the G20 summit did not happen suddenly. His absence was due to domestic and international factors.
First, China has faced an unprecedented economic slowdown this year, which necessitated Xi remaining in China.
Second, the removal of two People’s Liberation Army Rocket Force (PLARF) generals, the disappearance of former Chinese minister of foreign affairs Qin Gang (秦剛) and the mysterious death of PLARF deputy commander Wu Guohua (吳國華) have underlined the deepening mistrust between political leadership and other government organs and the Chinese Communist Party (CCP).
Third, these developments led CCP elders to reprimand Xi at the Beidaihe meeting, warning him of possible loss of public support. Thus, protecting his position as the CCP’s undisputed leader was instrumental in his decision to not attend the G20.
Fourth, the deplorable relationship between China and India since the Galwan military skirmishes in 2020 was another compelling factor for Xi to stay away. The two countries’ relationship has become so fragile that China even objected to India’s decision to use Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam as the summit theme.
Xi’s regime also expressed opposition to some of the G20 ministerial meetings being held in Kashmir and Arunachal Pradesh. As its objection did not attract any attention from other G20 members, Beijing felt isolated and humiliated.
Fifth, as China is wary of deepening India-US ties, Xi felt overshadowed by the strong bonhomie enjoyed by US President Joe Biden and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Lastly, Xi perhaps felt his absence would spoil India’s successful G20 summit presiding.
Xi’s decision backfired as India succeeded in projecting itself as a champion of the Global South. The African Union’s inclusion into the group would further prove to be a game changer in promoting an equitable world order, limiting China’s imperialist goals in Africa.
G20 expansion would not only bolster world order democratization, but also impact China-led groupings, such as BRICS and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization.
China has realized that the US wants to contain China’s influence in the Indo-Pacific and other regions through the G20 and other similar groups.
In a blunt reference to China and Russia, the G20 declaration said that all states must act in a manner consistent with the Purposes and Principles of the UN Charter in its entirety; all states must refrain from threats or use of force to seek territorial acquisition against the territorial integrity and sovereignty or political independence of any state. The use or threat of nuclear weapons use is unacceptable.
This move is important in the context of the war in Ukraine, as well as China’s assertive posturing against Taiwan, India and other nearby countries.
At the same time, with the aim of challenging Xi’s pet project, the Belt and Road Initiative, Saudi Arabia, the EU, India, the UAE, France, Germany, Italy and the US committed to work together to establish the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC).
The IMEC is expected to spur economic development via enhanced connectivity and economic integration between Asia, the Persian Gulf and Europe. It also indicates how wary the rest of the world is of China’s vision of a world order.
While the G20 summit in New Delhi has crystallized its aim to achieve a free, open and transparent world order, it should be hoped that this grouping will soon realize the necessity of bringing Taiwan into its fold to form an inclusive global society in a true sense.
Sumit Kumar is an assistant professor in the Department of Political Science at the University of Delhi, and a former Ministry of Foreign Affairs visiting fellow at National Chengchi University.
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