Sept 9 (Reuters) - It was incumbent on China to explain the reason for the absence of President Xi Jinping at the annual G20 summit in New Delhi this weekend, an U.S. official said on Saturday.

Premier Li Qiang is leading China's delegation in the Indian capital and Jon Finer, the U.S. deputy national security adviser, said it was "unfortunate" if China was not committed to the success of the bloc. (Reporting by Nandita Bose; Editing by Clarence Fernandez)