Some leaders of the BRICS grouping who skipped a dinner hosted by Prime Minister Narendra Modi last night included Chinese President Xi Jinping and Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed, people familiar with the matter said.
The Chinese president landed in Delhi on Saturday afternoon and attended the BRICS Summit, besides having a bilateral meeting with PM Modi. Russian President Vladimir Putin and other leaders of the BRICS grouping attended the dinner. Union ministers and the chief ministers of several states were also present.
Because he was tired and exhausted due to the time difference, people with direct knowledge of the matter said, xi skipped the dinner.
The Chinese president attended the engagements after a long flight, they said.
Earlier reporting noted: Why Chinese President Xi Jinping skipped BRICS gala dinner hosted by PM Modi in Delhi Chinese President Xi Jinping skipped a gala dinner hosted by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday for leaders of the BRICS nations and other partner countries attending the summit in New Delhi. The Union ministers and chief ministers came in two buses from Parliament House to central Delhi’s Bharat Mandapam for the dinner. They reaffirmed that both countries should take a strategic and long term perspective of their ties. Differences should not become disputes. But a source quoted by PTI suggested that Xi had returned to his hotel to rest.
“The two leaders welcomed the steady progress in India-China bilateral relations since their last meeting in Tianjin in August 2025.
A statement by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said the two leaders stressed that “differences should not become disputes” and reiterated that both nations ought to adopt a strategic and long-term outlook regarding their relationship. Prime Minister highlighted that both sides must be guided by three mutuals – mutual respect, mutual sensitivity and mutual interest,” the statement said.
Earlier reporting noted: So while the reason for the Abu Dhabi Crown’s absence was known in advance, the Chinese President’s decision not to attend the dinner became a source of intrigue and curiosity. Earlier reporting noted: The reason for the absence of the Chinese President Xi Jinping was not immediately known as there was no official statement on the issue, either from the Chinese side or even the Indian government.
