US President Joe Biden Expressed Hope That Xi Jinping Would Attend The G20 Summit In India

China’s influence seems to be weakening

“The most significant development so far…which some might say was expected…is President Xi’s decision not to participate in the upcoming G20 summit hosted by India,” Aamer said. This step has many meanings. “First of all, it can be inferred that China is not inclined to cede leadership to India, especially in the region and in the wider neighbourhood. The decision underscores China’s intention to maintain a dominant role and influence that directly affects the delicate balance of power in the region.

Second, Amer pointed out that President Xi’s absence is serving as a reminder that reducing border tensions will require sustained and complex diplomatic efforts. The process of dialogue between the two countries will be a long one, which will be linked to the wider geopolitical scenario of the Himalayan region and China’s strategic competition with the US somewhere. Looking ahead, it is clear that China-India relations are moving into complex territory, Amer said. Boundary issues are deeply intertwined with historical disputes, national pride and strategic interests. As both countries compete for influence on the global stage, their interactions will be influenced not only by regional dynamics but also by competition between China and the US.

Tension increased after the Galvan conflict

He pointed out that since the Galwan conflict of 2020, Sino-India relations have witnessed rising tensions and unresolved border issues. Despite several rounds of diplomatic discussions and a recent meeting of Corps Commanders, a clear and easy solution to the border disputes is not emerging. “There were indications of a possible meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Xi Jinping on the sidelines of the recently concluded BRICS summit but in reality the talks were limited to a brief exchange, reflecting the deep complexities in the relationship,” he said.

After this, a new map was issued by China, in which it claimed its sovereignty over the northeastern state of Arunachal Pradesh and the disputed Aksai Chin plateau, which increased the tension further, Amer said. India’s strong protest, including Foreign Minister S Jaishankar calling China’s claim “absurd”, underlined the seriousness of the situation. On its part, China, adopting a familiar strategy, urged all sides to remain calm and refrain from over-interpreting the issue.