This weekend, world leaders will meet at the G20 Summit in India. However, the two central players will stand out in their absence. Both Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin have canceled it.

The US will use this vacuum to its advantage, he wrote New York Time.

Among other things, President Joe Biden wants to strengthen relations with the host country, India. With Xi and Putin out of the way, he will also have room to argue with other world leaders that they should side with the US on matters that condemn Russia’s war in Ukraine and slow China’s growing assertiveness in the Indo-Pacific.

Essential for cooperation, according to the US

US President Joe Biden arrived in the Indian capital, New Delhi, on Friday with a clear plan for the meeting. The backdrop is increasing military and economic aggression from China and Russia, as well as the US desire to strengthen cooperation with developing countries.

– We hope the G20 summit will demonstrate that the world’s largest economies can work together even in difficult times, said US national security adviser Jake Sullivan, according to CNN.

Biden stated earlier this week that he was disappointed that Xi Jinping would not be able to attend.

Claims that submarines can be equipped with nuclear weapons

First time since 2013

It was previously thought that Vladimir Putin would not participate in the summit, as he is wanted internationally for war crimes in Ukraine. As a replacement, Russia sent its Foreign Minister, Sergey Lavrov.

On the other hand, the fact that Chinese President Xi Jinping has stayed home has caused some to raise eyebrows.

It is the first time that a Chinese leader, who came to power in 2013, has not attended a G20 meeting. Instead, Li Qiang, the prime minister of the country, will represent China’s interests. This was conveyed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China in a statement on Monday.

Speculation is rampant: – Mysterious

Many rumors are circulating

Xi’s absence has given rise to many rumors among experts. Some have speculated about his health condition, while others believe that a more complicated condition is at the root of the problem.

Beijing is under increasing pressure because of its proximity to Russia. Some analysts argue that Xi avoided the G20 meeting, partly because of his solidarity with Putin, he said Guard.

There are also those who cite the strained relations between China and India as the reason why the president has stayed home.

The rivalry between the two great powers was immense both economically and militarily.

Stoltenberg warned against escalation

Uncertainty about the statement

At previous summits, the leaders did not reach a joint statement. There is speculation whether this meeting will meet the same fate.

This uncertainty is especially related to the conditions surrounding the war in Ukraine, as neither Russia nor China would accept any statement that distances itself from the war.

Last year’s summit was dominated by disagreements among G20 nations over how to respond to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. India among others abstained from voting on a UN resolution condemning the invasion, and has bought large quantities of Russian oil in recent years.

India and Prime Minister Narendra Modi are hosting the summit this weekend. The meeting will mostly discuss financial matters.

The G20 consists of 19 countries and the EU. Together, they account for 80 percent of the world’s total production, and 60 percent of the world’s land area.