Diplomacy always leaves room for dialogue, but China recently stirred up a sensitive issue by releasing a controversial map that claims Arunachal Pradesh and the Aksai plateau as part of its territory.

This move led to a minor competition between the two nations, further evidenced by a dispute regarding a sideline meeting between Xi Jinping and Narendra Modi during the BRICS summit in Johannesburg. This brief interaction briefly raised hopes for improving strained relations that have persisted for over three years but ultimately proved short-lived.

Given this context and China's apparent intention to overshadow India's success in hosting the G20 summit, experts speculate that Xi Jinping may deliberately avoid attending the G20 meeting in Delhi on September 9. This move is seen as an attempt to undermine the summit's significance and to challenge the United States and the West. While Russia's President Vladimir Putin has offered his support to India, he has chosen not to attend the G20 meeting in person.

India, as the president of the G20 nations, will host meetings of the member nations on September 9 and 10, 2023, in New Delhi. Xi's absence would have a significant impact, but uncertainty looms. Analysts believe that the initial positive atmosphere created by the brief interaction between the two leaders was marred by their competitive tendencies. India faces the challenge of ensuring the success of the G20 summit, which will also be attended by US President Joe Biden. India must guard against any attempts by China to undermine the summit's importance, signaling its desire for improved relations with China to the world.

Experts argue that India has thwarted China's attempts to become a dominant power in the region, despite China's strategy of trapping Asian nations in debt, a byproduct of its expansionist agenda. India's resistance to China's tactics has been bolstered by its emerging economic power status. However, despite nineteen rounds of talks, the border issue remains unresolved, as China has refused to return to the pre-2020 status quo on the Line of Actual Control (LAC). China's actions, including its territorial claims and the buildup of forces on the Indian side of the LAC, reflect a lack of sincerity in resolving the border dispute. China also appears displeased with the strategic partnership and close ties between the United States and India, as this hinders its ambition to replace the US as a superpower.

Additionally, amid global pushback against China and Russia due to US sanctions, both nations have taken aggressive postures to expand the BRICS grouping. However, India has asserted itself by proposing the admission of six new members to develop a more multipolar global order of governance, challenging China's dominance within BRICS. Experts suggest that Xi may be avoiding the G20 meeting to snub both President Biden and Prime Minister Modi, who share close ties and are part of a block that opposes China's dominance in global affairs.

China's decision to redraw a controversial map, claiming Indian territory, reflects its intention to divert attention from the G20 summit. India has rejected these claims, but China's timing suggests a deliberate effort to overshadow the summit. While there was initial optimism about improved relations, China has initiated a debate suggesting that India sought a face-to-face meeting between the two leaders, which India has refuted. The informal interaction between Xi and Modi did occur at China's request, leading to discussions about the need for de-escalation at the border and stabilizing peace.

In conclusion, China's ambitions to expand its global influence face challenges due to its aggressive territorial claims and actions, making it an international pariah. World opinion is unlikely to favor a country that seeks to seize another nation's territory and infringe upon the sovereignty of other nations.