Global attention that is both transient and fickle is currently focused on the G20 summit at Hangzhou that is being seen as Chinese President Xi Jinpings Olympic equivalent. Predictably, social media was shrill and one post that was particularly unsavory noted: "Apparently Obama is treated like shit in Hangzhou. This was described by a local diplomat as a subtle demonstration of India's appeal and the ability to draw such political participation on the eve of the G20 Summit. India is seen as a more benign and accommodating power that is able to contribute to the common public good in the Indian Ocean region. To that extent, the current G20 and the forthcoming EAS (East Asia Summit) and the BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa) summits should be utilised to persuade Beijing to live up to the self-image it seeks to project at Hangzhou.

Source: Economic Times September 05, 2016 06:33 UTC