US National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan has directly urged China to put aside its differences with India and take on a “constructive role” in the upcoming G20 summit, slated to be hosted by India on September 9 and 10. Mr. Sullivan made it clear that the choice of whether China would act as a “spoiler” or not rested squarely with Beijing. This statement follows China’s confirmation that its leader, Xi Jinping, would be absent from the summit, with Premier Li Qiang leading the Chinese delegation instead.
While neither India nor China has provided specific reasons for Xi Jinping’s absence, it’s essential to note that the two countries have had a strained relationship, with tensions escalating since 2020, marked by a fatal clash between their troops in the Galwan valley of Ladakh. At the heart of their dispute is a poorly demarcated, disputed de facto border along the Himalayas that stretches over 3,440 kilometers (2,100 miles), leading to frequent face-offs between soldiers.
Recently, a diplomatic dispute erupted when China released an “official map” that India claimed staked territorial claims over its land. In response, Beijing cautioned Delhi against “over-interpreting” the issue.
During a press briefing, when asked whether the India-China tensions would overshadow the G20 summit, Jake Sullivan stated that it was ultimately “up to China.” He emphasized that if China chose to, it could play a disruptive role. However, he also underscored that India, the United States, and all other G20 member nations would encourage China to take a constructive approach, setting aside geopolitical issues in favor of tackling problems related to climate change, multilateral development bank reform, debt relief, technology, and delivering solutions for developing nations.
The G20, a group of major economies, convenes to discuss global economic strategies. These nations collectively account for 85% of the world’s economic output, 75% of global trade, and host two-thirds of the world’s population.
