Chinese Premier Li Qiang arrived in New Delhi on Friday evening for the G-20 summit, which will, for the relatively unknown second-ranked Chinese leader, mark a first major international diplomatic test.
Mr. Li earlier this week attended the East Asia Summit in Jakarta, but the G-20 will pose its own challenges with its higher profile and the presence of Western leaders who have been sharply critical of China, especially for its stand on the Ukraine crisis, a major sticking point that threatens to derail a joint communique for the first time in G-20 history.
He also lands in India at a low point in China-India relations. As of Friday evening, officials from both sides indicated no plans had been made for a structured bilateral meeting, although Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Mr. Li will have the opportunity for informal interactions along the sidelines of the G-20. Substantive talks on the Line of Actual Control (LAC) situation are unlikely as Mr. Li unlike previous Premiers such as Wen Jiabao only handles economic matters, with the office of the Premier significantly downgraded under Mr. Xi’s one-man rule.
