Biden took center stage in India, seizing an opportunity to influence global leaders in Xi and Putin’s absence
NEW DELHI — President Joe Biden capitalized on the absence of Xi Jinping and Vladimir Putin at this year’s G20 summit in India, positioning himself to guide discussions on global influence and countering China’s impact. Biden’s presence underscored his administration’s intent to cement alliances and promote U.S. influence, particularly in the Indo-Pacific region.
By attending, Biden aimed to create a coalition against growing Chinese dominance and to increase pressure on Russia to end its war with Ukraine. With Xi attending a separate summit recently in South Africa, his decision to skip the G20 puzzled analysts, who speculated about domestic priorities, including China’s economic slowdown and rising youth unemployment.
Biden’s administration leveraged Xi and Putin’s absences to gain attention for the U.S.-backed Partnership for Global Infrastructure and Investment. Announced alongside Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the project proposes a new economic corridor connecting India, the Middle East, and Europe, challenging China’s Belt and Road Initiative.
Analysts noted that with Xi and Putin out, Biden’s policies received elevated focus. “Biden has the stage largely to himself,” said former U.S. diplomat Daniel Russel, highlighting that the summit lacked the diplomatic complexities usually posed by China and Russia.
Despite Biden’s strong presence, a joint statement on Russia’s invasion of Ukraine was less critical than last year’s. While the 2022 G20 declaration condemned Russia directly, this year’s statement took a more neutral stance, broadly urging respect for territorial sovereignty without naming Russia explicitly.
Biden’s engagement at the G20 and ambitious infrastructure initiatives indicate his administration’s strategic effort to sway nations that might otherwise lean towards China or Russia for economic support, hoping to redefine alliances amidst evolving global dynamics.