'I Am Disappointed, But...": US President Biden On Reports That Xi Jinping May Not Attend G20 Summit In India

United States President Joe Biden has said that he is looking forward to his India visit this week to participate in the G20 summit.

However, he expressed disappointment that Chinese President Xi Jinping will not be attending the G20 summit in New Delhi.

The White House announced on Friday (1 September) that Biden will travel to India on 7 September to participate in the G20 summit.

Additionally, he will have a bilateral meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 8 September on the sidelines of the G20 summit.

India, currently holding the presidency of the G20, will host the annual summit of this influential group in New Delhi on 9 and 10 September.

As the host, India will play a crucial role in facilitating discussions and decision-making during the summit.

During a press conference, Joe Biden was asked about his upcoming visits to India and Vietnam.

Asked if he was looking forward to this trip, Biden replied, "Yes, I am", PTI reported.

He also expressed his disappointment over Xi Jinping not attending the summit in New Delhi.

Asked about the absence of President Xi, Biden responded, "I am disappointed, but I am going to get to see him".

Scheduled to join more than two dozen world leaders, Biden will be attending the G20 Summit in New Delhi, which is being hosted by Prime Minister Modi.

According to recent media reports, it is unlikely that both Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi will attend the summit.

India is currently waiting for written confirmation from China regarding President Xi's participation in the G20 Leaders Summit.

"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," Special Secretary for G20 Muktesh Pardeshi told PTI on Friday (1 September).

Pardeshi was asked about the reports of President Xi skipping the G20 meeting and sending Prime Minister Li Qiang as a representative. After attending the East Asia summit in Jakarta, Premier Li is expected to travel to India.

Pardeshi explained that world leaders typically indicate their participation in summits like the G20 through a diplomatic note.

"I think that is awaited...We have received most of the other confirmations," he mentioned regarding Xi's attendance.

The G20 summit will see the presence of notable leaders such as US 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, all of whom have already confirmed their participation.

On 10 September, PM Modi will pass on the G20 Presidency to Brazilian President Lula.

Brazil will officially take over the G20 Presidency on 1 December.

The G20 consists of 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).

Together, these member countries represent approximately 85 per cent of the global GDP, over 75 per cent of global trade, and about two-thirds of the world population.