China's Xi Jinping likely to skip G20 summit in Delhi

Xi Jinping likely to skip G20 summit in India; Li Qiang expected to represent Beijing. Putin and Lavrov to attend instead. Biden to attend, raising hopes of a meeting between him and Xi. Sources in China say Xi's absence is unexpected. Modi and Xi discussed reducing tensions at BRICS meeting.

Chinese President Xi Jinping is likely to skip the summit of G20 leaders in New Delhi next week, sources familiar with the matter in India and China told Reuters.

Two Indian officials, one diplomat based in China and one official working for the government of another G20 country said Premier Li Qiang is expected to represent Beijing at the September 9-10 meeting in New Delhi.

Spokespersons for the Indian and Chinese foreign ministries did not respond to requests for comment.

The summit in India had been viewed as a venue at which Mr. Xi may meet with U.S. President Joe Biden, who has confirmed his attendance, as the two superpowers seek to stabilise relations soured by a range of trade and geopolitical tensions.

Mr. Xi last met Mr. Biden on the sidelines of the G20 summit in Bali, Indonesia last November.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has already announced that he will not be travelling to New Delhi and will send Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov instead.

One senior Indian government official told Reuters that “we are aware that the premier will come”, in place of Mr. Xi.