XI JINPING’S absence from the recent Group of 20 summit may have been a deliberate move to prevent India from taking the spotlight. However, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, along with the United States and Europe, managed to find more effective ways to challenge China’s influence on the global stage as the G20 Summit concluded on September 10 in New Delhi. Other G20 nations praised India’s achievement in reaching a consensus on a joint communique, which was uncertain until a few days before the major annual diplomatic event convened by world leaders. In addition to resolving the challenging matter of Russia’s conflict in Ukraine, they also granted full G20 membership to the African Union and addressed crucial issues such as climate change and debt sustainability, which are of significant concern to emerging markets. Ukraine expressed dissatisfaction with the ultimate result, as they perceived the compromise on language regarding the war as less robust than what leaders had achieved in Bali, Indonesia, just ten months prior. However, for the United States and its allies, facing criticism for a communique that, in substance, resembled the one from Bali and had limited real-world impact was a minor trade-off. They viewed it as a worthwhile concession to Prime Minister Modi, strengthening India’s standing as an ascending power capable of countering China’s global influence.

 

President Joe Biden took the lead, seeing in India his administration’s best hope of isolating China and Russia while reinforcing the United States-led world order. This outcome underscores that Washington is progressively becoming more attuned to the concerns of the so-called Global South, with India serving as its primary guide. Milan Vaishnav, who heads the South Asia Programme at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, mentioned that some analysts see the softened stance on Russia-Ukraine as a Western concession. However, there’s an alternate perspective: Western nations were also determined to ensure India’s success. Failing to reach an agreement would have been a significant letdown for India, especially Prime Minister Narendra Modi who staked everything on the success of this summit before the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. If we had to pick a moment that truly showcased the dynamics of the summit, it would be Biden’s meeting on Saturday, where he discussed the White House-led initiatives aimed at providing additional funding to developing countries. In a photo op, President Biden, alongside World Bank President Ajay Banga (the first Indian American in this role), was seen with Prime Minister Modi, Brazil’s Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, and South Africa’s Cyril Ramaphosa.

 

These leaders are vital members of the BRICS group, excluding China and Russia. This bloc recently expanded, presenting a challenge to the advanced economies of the Group of Seven (G7). Earlier in the day, US Deputy National Security Advisor Jon Finer indirectly criticized China by describing these countries as “the three democratic members of the BRICS.” He emphasized that these nations, along with the US, were dedicated to the success of the G20. Finer added that if China didn’t share this commitment, it would be regrettable for all parties involved, but even more so for China. The United States didn’t stop at that point. They also revealed a separate agreement with India, the European Union, Saudi Arabia, Israel, and additional Middle Eastern nations to establish an extensive rail and maritime network in the region. President Biden praised this as a “transformative regional investment” and sealed the deal with a three-way handshake involving Modi and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, whom the US president had previously portrayed as an outcast before the last election. Such a declaration is undoubtedly more appealing to Middle East stakeholders compared to pressing concerns about human rights, even though the project’s specifics, such as the timeline and funding, remain uncertain.

 

Xi’s decision to skip the G-20 summit, which was the first time since he assumed the presidency in 2013, marked a noticeable change in his behaviour. Last November, he portrayed himself as a statesman striving for good relations with other countries. China’s negotiators also risked coming across as overly critical by trying to hinder India’s progress, even raising minor issues like Modi’s use of a Sanskrit phrase and the US’s bid to host the G20 gathering in 2026. More importantly, India seized the opportunity to assert its global leadership position. Prime Minister Modi stated that a historic moment had been achieved, and his chief negotiator, Amitabh Kant, referred to India as the representative of the entire Global South. Above all, the summit’s outcome has amplified the influence of the Global South,” Kant remarked. “It has also showcased India’s substantial capability to unite the world and take a leadership role in both developmental and geopolitical matters.”