Archive · 13 Sep 2026
Xi Skips Modi’s BRICS Dinner After Summit Engagements
Xi Jinping visited Delhi for a meeting of BRICS countries.
He went to the summit and met India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Later, Xi did not attend a dinner hosted by Modi.
One report said he went back to his hotel to rest.
Other sources said he was tired because of a long flight and the time difference.
Russia’s Vladimir Putin and other leaders attended the dinner.
Abu Dhabi’s Crown Prince Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed also did not attend.
Modi and Xi discussed improving relations between India and China.
They said disagreements should not grow into disputes.
Chinese President Xi Jinping skipped Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s gala dinner for BRICS leaders in Delhi.
Sources variously reported that Xi returned to his hotel to rest and was exhausted after a long flight and time-zone differences.
Xi attended the BRICS Summit and held bilateral talks with Modi earlier that day.
Russian President Vladimir Putin and other BRICS leaders attended the dinner, while Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed also stayed away.
Modi and Xi agreed that differences between India and China should not become disputes and emphasized mutual respect, sensitivity and interest.
- Who
- Chinese President Xi Jinping, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other BRICS leaders.
- What
- Xi skipped Modi’s dinner after attending the BRICS Summit and holding bilateral talks with Modi.
- When
- On the first day of the two-day BRICS Summit, after Xi arrived in Delhi on Saturday afternoon.
- Where
- Delhi, with the dinner held at Bharat Mandapam.
- Why
- Reports attributed Xi’s absence to rest and exhaustion after a long flight and time-zone differences, although the initial reason was described as unknown.
Reported Explanation
Initial Uncertainty
Why Xi missed the dinner
Reported Explanation
People familiar with the matter said Xi was tired and exhausted after a long flight and time-zone differences, and had returned to his hotel to rest.
Initial Uncertainty
An earlier report said the reason for Xi’s absence was not known, while noting that a source said he had gone back to his hotel.
- Event
- Two-day BRICS Summit in Delhi
- Dinner host
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi
- Absent leader
- Chinese President Xi Jinping
- Reported explanation
- Rest and exhaustion linked to a long flight and time-zone differences
- Dinner attendees
- Russian President Vladimir Putin, other BRICS leaders, Indian ministers and several state chief ministers
- Bilateral focus
- India-China relations, cultural exchanges, business links, mobility and direct flights
- Shared principle
- Differences should not become disputes; ties should be guided by mutual respect, sensitivity and interest
