The boycott signalling a confident India

It’s the season of boycotts. And not just involving opposition parties. China and Saudi Arabia, along with Turkey and Egypt, boycotted G20’s Tourism Working Group (TWG) meeting in Srinagar, Kashmir, this week. In March, China had boycotted another G20 meeting held in Arunachal Pradesh. No surprises there. That GoI went ahead and held the meetings in Kashmir despite knowing that there would be Pavlovian pushback underscores India‘s growing confidence. That other G20 members and invitees attended the meetings signals growing acceptance of India’s position that Kashmir is an integral part of the country.

Saudi Arabia, and other friendly Muslim countries, have compulsions to react to the ‘K’ word as a G20 venue. Considering their good bilateral ties with India, however, these countries do need to take certain positions. A mature outlook is important as India advocates a multipolar world. India’s decision on these venues exposes China’s intentions. But their boycott is cause for concern for New Delhi. Given the space that the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) has accorded India, and China’s treatment of its Muslim citizens in Xinjiang, Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Egypt should prioritise their gesture politics. Whatever way that narrative goes, China’s growing presence in West Asia must concern India. Efforts such as the I2U2 – India, Israel, UAE, US – can help balance matters. India’s own enhanced engagement in the West Asia-North Africa region as part of collectives as well as bilaterally, should help counter China’s influence.

What the G20 boycott by Muslim countries underscores is that India’s growing engagement is on the right track. Now, it’s up to New Delhi to enhance its engagement by providing a viable alternative.