Biden’s G20 Photo Return: A Sign of Waning US Influence?

Aakhir Tak – In Shorts

US President Joe Biden initially missed the official G20 group photo.
A retake saw Biden given a central position in the front row.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi shook hands with Biden.
The incident sparked discussion about Biden’s waning influence and the upcoming Trump administration.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov was present on the first day but not the second.

Aakhir Tak – In Depth

An unusual event unfolded at the G20 summit in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. On Monday, US President Joe Biden was notably absent from the official group photograph of world leaders. US officials attributed this to “logistical issues,” a similar explanation given for the absence of Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni.

However, a retake of the photograph on Tuesday placed Biden prominently in the front row. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi greeted Biden with a handshake as he took his place on stage. Trudeau was seen chatting with and pointing towards Biden. Chinese President Xi Jinping arrived a minute later and joined the assembled leaders. Following the photo, the leaders applauded and held hands.

This display of unity stood in stark contrast to the previous day’s events, where Biden’s absence raised questions about his diminishing influence. The incident has fueled considerable discussion surrounding the 81-year-old president’s waning power in the context of the incoming Trump administration. Throughout his six-day tour of South America, Biden actively sought global support on issues ranging from Ukraine and the Middle East to climate change. However, his counterparts’ focus seemingly shifted towards the January inauguration, with Xi Jinping stating after a meeting with Biden last week in Lima that he would work towards a “smooth transition” with Trump.

Biden maintained a low media profile during his trip, refraining from taking questions despite significant developments such as his approval for Ukraine to use long-range US-made missiles against Russia.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, attending in place of President Vladimir Putin, who faces an International Criminal Court warrant, was present in Monday’s photo but not Tuesday’s. Lavrov stated that Kyiv’s first missile strikes marked “a new phase,” urging the West to consider a decree signed by Putin lowering the threshold for Russian nuclear weapon use.

Key Takeaways to Remember:

Joe Biden’s return to the G20 photo raises questions about the perception of US global influence. The event highlights the shift in global dynamics with the upcoming Trump presidency and evolving alliances among world leaders.