Absence speaks loudly at the G-20
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Xi Jinping and Vladimir Putin will both skip this weekend's G-20 summit in India, grabbing attention by their absences.
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Xi's no-show fuels speculation he's snubbing India's Modi amid border tensions or is wary of leaving China during economic crisis.
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Putin plans counterprogramming with an economic forum in Russia and may meet with Kim Jong Un.
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Their absences deprive summit of chance to appeal directly on Ukraine war and economic fallout.
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Leaders like Turkey's Erdogan could play go-between roles at summit in their absence.