Leaders from Top Economies Gather in India for G20 Summit Amid Global Concerns

Global Leaders Convene in India for G20 Summit

“Leaders from Top Economies Gather in India for G20 Summit Amid Global Concerns”. Leaders from the world’s most influential economies have convened in India for a two-day G20 summit.  With pressing issues such as Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, global economic worries, and climate change taking center stage.

The host country, India, has adopted an optimistic theme for the summit. That is “One Earth, One Family, One Future.” However, deep-seated differences and strategic divisions among the Group of 20 nations underscore the challenges ahead.

Notably, Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping have chosen not to attend the September 9-10 summit in New Delhi. Which certainly raised eyebrows given their absence.

The G20 comprises 19 countries and the European Union. These collectively representing approximately 85 percent of global GDP and two-thirds of the world’s population.

Key Attendees and Critical Issues

Joe Biden –

US President Joe Biden’s visit to India aims to strengthen alliances and offer support to developing nations. The United States sees China facing difficulties. Hence prompting discussions on various topics, including addressing climate change and mitigating the economic and social impacts of Russia’s Ukraine conflict.  Which is highlighted by National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan.

Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen accompanies President Biden, marking her fourth visit to India in the last 10 months. Washington seeks reforms within the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank to better serve the needs of developing countries, demonstrating the White House’s commitment to maintaining the G20’s role as a premier global economic cooperation forum.

• Lavrov, not Putin –

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov will lead the Russian delegation as President Putin has declined to attend. An international arrest warrant for Putin on charges of war crimes related to the deportation of Ukrainian children was issued by the International Criminal Court in March. The Kremlin disputes these accusations, asserting that the warrant against Putin is invalid. Lavrov previously led the Russian delegation at the BRICS summit in South Africa.

• Li Qiang, not Xi –

Premier Li Qiang will head China’s delegation, signaling President Xi’s absence. The summit takes on added significance this year due to high inflation. With economic turbulence stemming from the Covid-19 pandemic’s ongoing impact. China, as the world’s second-largest economy, faces challenges such as weak consumer demand, surging youth unemployment, and a crisis in the property sector. Additionally, China has a longstanding border dispute with the summit’s host nation, India. Due to which a deadly clash has taken place in the Himalayas in 2020. Hence straining diplomatic relations.

• Narendra Modi –

India, the world’s most populous nation, holds the rotating G20 presidency. This  provides Prime Minister Narendra Modi with an opportunity to showcase both India and himself on the global stage. However, Modi faces the challenge of building consensus among major powers on critical issues. India is currently at odds with China over territorial claims . Modi is keen on strengthening ties with Western countries, including fellow Quad members—the United States, Japan, and Australia. Modi is expected to push for the expansion of the G20 to include the African Union, a move supported by President Biden.

• Rest of the World –

Leaders from Europe, including German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, French President Emmanuel Macron, and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, will represent the European Union.

Other G7 members, namely Britain, Canada, Japan, and Italy, will be represented by their respective leaders: Rishi Sunak, Justin Trudeau, Fumio Kishida, and Giorgia Meloni.

From the Asia-Pacific region, Indonesian President Joko Widodo, South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol, and Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese will participate.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman are among the attendees.

South Africa, the sole African nation in the G20, will be represented by President Cyril Ramaphosa.

Brazil’s President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva and Argentina’s Alberto Fernandez are expected to attend, while Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador is likely to be absent.

United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres will attend as an observer, and the heads of the IMF and the World Bank will also be present.

Other leaders, including Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and Nigerian President Bola Tinubu, are anticipated to participate in the summit