Chinese President Xi Jinping did not attend the gala dinner hosted by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi for leaders participating in the BRICS Summit on Saturday. Sources familiar with the situation confirmed his absence, which has drawn attention amid ongoing discussions at the summit involving various countries and international organizations.
Xi arrived in Delhi on Saturday afternoon, attended the BRICS Summit and held a bilateral meeting with Prime Minister Modi. The reason for Xi’s absence was not immediately clear, although a source suggested that the Chinese President had returned to his hotel to rest. His visit marks his return to India after seven years. Russian President Vladimir Putin and other BRICS leaders attended the dinner, which was also attended by Union ministers Amit Shah, Nirmala Sitharaman, Piyush Goyal, Ashwini Vaishnaw and Shivraj Singh Chouhan. Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla was present as well, along with several state leaders, including Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari and Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma.
Earlier reporting noted: The Chinese president landed in Delhi on Saturday afternoon and attended the BRICS Summit, besides having a bilateral meeting with PM Modi. The Union ministers and chief ministers travelled in two buses from Parliament House to the dinner venue at Bharat Mandapam. The menu featured dishes such as khandvi mille-feuille, khumb galouti, paneer lababdar, gucchi marmik, carrot-bean poriyal and millet pulao. The dessert spread included Old Delhi fruit cream with jalebi and shahtoot phirni. Several BRICS leaders and Indian dignitaries attended the dinner, while Chinese President Xi Jinping and the Abu Dhabi Crown Prince were among the notable absentees.
Because he was tired and exhausted due to the time difference, people with direct knowledge of the matter said, earlier reporting noted: Xi skipped the dinner. India is hosting the BRICS Summit on September 12 and 13, with leaders from the 11 member countries and 10 partner countries, along with representatives of several international organisations, attending the event.
Earlier reporting noted: 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 attended the engagements after a long flight, they said.
