China’s absence from the recent G20 meet in India’s Arunachal Pradesh has stirred up tensions between the two Asian giants once again. While India hosted the summit to discuss global economic issues, China decided to boycott the event, condemning India’s “illegal occupation” of the disputed region. As the world’s two most populous countries continue to jostle for regional dominance, this latest incident is indicative of the strained bilateral relations between the two nations. In this article, we will explore the reasons behind China’s move and its implications for India’s strategic interests in the region. So, let’s take a closer look.
China was conspicuously absent from a G20 Research Innovation Initiative Gathering that took place on Sunday at Itanagar in Arunachal Pradesh, India. More than 50 delegates, including from the US, attended the meeting, which was aimed at research and innovation. It is so far unknown if China has made formal complaints about the meeting to India. The G20 is one of the most important symbolic indicators of a country’s economic power and international influence, and India has been keen to assert its economic credentials. Last year, the country announced that it would take the G20 to all corners of the country, with meetings planned in all 28 states and eight union territories. It was also confirmed that India will host a G20 meeting on culture in Jammu and Kashmir in May. However, Pakistan has been lobbying China, Turkiye and Saudi Arabia to stop India from hosting the meeting in Srinagar.
China’s absence in Itanagar may be a reflection of its long-standing uncomfortable relationship with India, stoked by China’s territorial claims on Arunachal Pradesh, an Indian state that China refers to as southern Tibet. India has so far been equally assertive in resisting China’s territorial claims in the Himalayas. Nevertheless, China has been supportive of India’s G20 presidency and Qin Gang, the Chinese foreign minister, visited India earlier this month for the foreign ministers’ meeting. India believes that the G20 will help address global economic problems and promote cooperation. China too has been playing its part in hosting its own G20 meeting in Hangzhou, in late June of this year.
