NEW DELHI: Chinese President Xi Jinping did not attend a gala dinner hosted by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi for BRICS leaders and other delegates in New Delhi on Saturday, September 12, during the first day of the 18th BRICS Summit.
Xi had arrived in New Delhi earlier that day, attended the summit and held a bilateral meeting with Modi. The two leaders discussed India-China relations, including border peace, economic and trade ties, and broader cooperation.
The reason for Xi’s absence from the dinner was not officially disclosed by either the Chinese or Indian governments. A source cited by PTI said the Chinese president may have returned to his hotel to rest. Russian President Vladimir Putin and several other BRICS leaders attended the dinner.
Xi’s absence came despite his participation in the summit and his meeting with Modi earlier in the day. The 18th BRICS Summit is being held in New Delhi on September 12–13 under India’s chairmanship.
