Even after 10 months of the G-20 summit and the selection of China’s ambassador to India, why is Jinping continuing with the appointment?

China has not appointed an ambassador to India for nearly a year after former Ambassador Sun Weidong stepped down in October 2022. The delay in appointing a new Chinese envoy to India has become more pressing ahead of the key G20 summit in India in September. Many observers have described the long delay of 10 months as unusual. Although the current Chinese embassy in India is the effective ambassador, Ma Jia, Chinese President Xi Jinping has been postponing the appointment of an ambassador to India, despite making several such appointments to other countries. This is the first time that the post of Ambassador to India has remained vacant for such a long time. Weidong, the former envoy, has now been appointed vice minister of foreign affairs.

Modi Jinping may meet at the BRICS summit

Meanwhile, China has shown no urgency in appointing an envoy or suggesting a name for the post. It is to be noted that this appointment has become more necessary than ever as Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping are expected to meet on the sidelines of the BRICS summit in Johannesburg from August 22-24.

Has China shortlisted any diplomat?

The delay in the appointment of the Chinese envoy to India is yet to be explained, but Beijing must be weighing its options to get the right appointment. Those who have been shortlisted for the post include Huang Zilian who is the current Ambassador to the Philippines and has been in the post since 2019 and is about to expire. Another candidate is Xiao Qian, the Chinese ambassador to Australia. Meanwhile, it is important to note that China’s foreign ministry is currently in turmoil as it has sacked Qin Gang as foreign minister.