Chinese President Xi Jinping skipped Prime Minister Narendra Modi's BRICS gala dinner after attending the summit and holding bilateral talks. His unexplained absence stood out as other BRICS leaders and senior Indian dignitaries attended the event.

Xi’s visit to India is his first in seven years and comes after a thaw in ties between New Delhi and Beijing following the tensions that escalated after the Galwan standoff.

Chinese President Xi Jinping skipped Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s BRICS Summit gala dinner in Delhi, while Russian President Vladimir Putin, other BRICS leaders and several Indian dignitaries attended the event.

NEW DELHI, Sept 11: Russian President Vladimir Putin arrived in New Delhi on Friday on a three-day visit to attend the 18th BRICS Summit and hold bilateral talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, with trade, investment and energy cooperation expected to figure prominently in the discussions. Putin is leading a high-level delegation and was received […]

Addressing the 18th BRICS Summit in New Delhi on Saturday, Xi said China would work with other members of the bloc towards promoting peace in the region. State-run CCTV, quoted by Reuters, reported that Xi urged BRICS to act as a peacemaker in the Middle East conflict.

The photograph also comes as New Delhi seeks to deepen its ties with Russia and China while continuing its partnerships with the United States and other Western countries.

In an address at the BRICS summit, PM Modi also flagged serious concerns over the 'weaponisation of technology and critical minerals', saying it could hinder shared progress and prosperity.

The BRICS Summit 2026 Day 2 session will begin around 10 am on Sunday. This will include a joint photo session around 10:30 am.