India Awaits Written Confirmation from China on President Xi’s G20 Summit Attendance

India is eagerly anticipating a written confirmation from China regarding President Xi Jinping’s participation in the upcoming G20 Leaders Summit, which is scheduled to take place in India next weekend. Muktesh Pardeshi, Special Secretary for G20, expressed this on Friday, emphasizing the significance of formal confirmation.

While there have been reports in newspapers speculating on President Xi’s attendance, Pardeshi underscored the importance of a formal written confirmation. He stated, “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.”

When asked about reports suggesting that President Xi might skip the G20 meeting on September 9-10 and delegate Prime Minister Li Qiang to represent China, Pardeshi refrained from making any definitive statements until official confirmation is received.

“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,”

Pardeshi explained that the participation of world leaders in international summits like the G20 is typically conveyed through a formal diplomatic note. He mentioned, “I think that is awaited…We have received most of the other confirmations,” when discussing President Xi’s potential involvement.

Several prominent world leaders have already confirmed their attendance at the G20 summit. These include Russian President Vladimir Putin, who has informed Prime Minister Narendra Modi that he won’t be able to travel to India for the event. Additionally, US President Joe 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 are among the G20 leaders who have confirmed their participation in the summit.

Prime Minister Modi is set to pass the G20 Presidency to Brazilian President Lula on September 10. Brazil will officially assume the G20 Presidency on December 1, marking a significant transition in the leadership of this international forum.

(This story has not been edited by Smartkhabrinews staff and is published from a syndicated news agency feed – PTI)