Title: President Biden Heads to G20 Summit in India Amidst Controversy and Uncertainty
Meta Description: President Joe Biden departs for the G20 Leaders Summit in New Delhi, India amidst speculation and criticism. Find out the latest updates and potential outcomes of the summit.
Date: September 8, 2023
President Joe Biden embarked on his journey to the G20 Leaders Summit in New Delhi, India, leaving behind a trail of uncertainty and controversy. Speculation had been rife about whether he would catch COVID-19 from his wife and cancel the trip, but the maskless commander-in-chief brushed aside such concerns as he boarded Air Force One through the lower steps. This trip comes at a time when the Department of Justice is threatening to indict his son, Hunter, on gun charges, and when Biden faced criticism from 9/11 families for his Alaska visit to mark the 22nd anniversary of the attacks.
Thursday morning brought more poll results that added to the intrigue, revealing that a majority of voters, including Democrats, believe Biden is too old to run for another term. On top of that, he finds himself in a neck-and-neck race with Donald Trump. Despite all this, National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan, aboard Air Force One, emphasized the significance of the summit, stating, ‘We think this will be an important milestone moment for global cooperation at a critical time.’ However, he indicated that a potential joint statement between the leaders was not yet ready, hinting at possible roadblocks from China or Russia.
Sullivan went on to mention the talks of a potential infrastructure deal between the U.S., India, the United Arab Emirates, and Saudi Arabia, highlighting the economic and strategic benefits such an agreement could bring. While the White House kept Biden’s schedule under wraps, it was revealed that he will meet with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi upon arrival and attend G20 sessions over the weekend before heading off to Vietnam. Adding a personal touch to his itinerary, Biden has also scheduled a visit to the John McCain memorial in Hanoi, commemorating his friendship with the late senator.
When questioned about potential bilateral meetings, Sullivan refused to confirm if Biden would be meeting with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, both controversial figures slated to attend the summit. Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping, however, are skipping the event, with their notable absences sparked by tensions with India. Sullivan encouraged China to participate in the summit constructively, setting aside geopolitical disputes and focusing on climate, technology, and other pressing issues.
World Bank reform is high on the U.S.’s agenda for the summit, with plans to bolster the lender’s capacity to fund climate and infrastructure projects. This strategic move aims to attract developing economies away from the coercive lending practices of the Chinese Communist Party. The fallout from the Ukraine war remains a point of concern, with Russia’s absence at the meeting and Lavrov filling in for Putin. Sullivan emphasized the need to address the consequences of Russia’s illegal war, particularly the devastating impact on the world’s poorest countries.
However, all eyes will be on whether President Biden decides to have a sideline meeting with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, potentially culminating in a historic breakthrough for Middle East peace through a Saudi-Israel normalization deal. Although this move would further diplomatic efforts before the 2024 presidential election takes center stage, it is worth noting that Saudi relations are not widely supported in the U.S. due to concerns about human rights and the murder of Jamal Khashoggi.
As President Biden embarks on this significant journey, uncertainties and controversies loom large. Keep up with our coverage to stay informed about the latest updates and potential outcomes of the G20 Leaders Summit in New Delhi. For more news, visit our profile page and follow us for the stories you need. Share or comment on this article.
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