President Biden Regrets The Absence Of Chinese Leader Xi Jinping At India's G20 Summit

United States President Joe Biden. (Wikimedia Commons/The White House)

JAKARTA - United States President Joe Biden regretted the absence of Chinese Leader Xi Jinping at the G20 Summit in India this week, but added that he would meet him.

"I'm disappointed, but I'm going to see him," Biden told reporters in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware, without elaborating.

President Biden himself will visit India September 7-10 for the G20 summit, followed by a trip to Vietnam as his administration seeks to strengthen US ties in Asia.

Leader Xi is unlikely to attend the G20 summit, with Chinese Premier Li Qiang expected to represent Beijing at the meeting in New Delhi, a source familiar with the matter told Reuters.

Leader Xi's absence could also be a blow to host India, according to some analysts, who see it as a signal that China is reluctant to exert influence over New Delhi, which is one of the fastest growing economies amid Beijing's economic slowdown.

It is known that the two leaders of the superpower countries last met in person at the G20 Summit in Bali, Indonesia, last November.

"I wish he was there," President Biden said last Thursday.

Separately, when asked if he was looking forward to his trip this time, President Biden said, "Yes, I am looking forward to it."

"I want more... coordination. I think they both (India and Vietnam) want closer ties with the United States and that could be very helpful," concluded President Biden.