Modi Pauses BRICS Address to Check on Xi; Chinese Leader Skips Gala Dinner
PM Modi briefly halted his BRICS speech to check on Xi Jinping, who later skipped the gala dinner. The two leaders held talks on bilateral ties and border peace.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi briefly interrupted his opening address at the BRICS Summit in New Delhi on Saturday after turning his attention to Chinese President Xi Jinping, who was seated among the assembled leaders.
The pause lasted only moments but was noticed within the summit hall. Looking towards Xi, who is visiting India for the first time in seven years, the Prime Minister appeared concerned and sought clarification from the Chinese leader's interpreter. He asked whether all was well, and when no immediate reply came, repeated the question before waiting. Xi then nodded, indicating that there was no cause for concern, and the Prime Minister resumed his remarks. The exchange, captured on camera, occurred a few minutes into his opening statement.
The reason for the episode was not immediately known.
Xi Skips Dinner Hosted by Modi
After taking part in the day's proceedings, Xi did not attend a dinner hosted by the Prime Minister. People familiar with the matter said the Chinese President was tired following his long journey and a packed schedule, and was affected by the time difference. Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed was also among those who did not attend the gathering.
Xi had arrived in New Delhi on Saturday and spent the day at summit-related events, including bilateral engagements. He attended the two-day BRICS Summit at Bharat Mandapam, joined fellow leaders in a tree plantation drive and visited the Bharat Innovates Exposition held alongside the summit.
Bilateral Talks Focus on Long-Term Ties
The Chinese President also held talks with the Prime Minister, during which the two leaders reviewed the state of bilateral relations and discussed ways to move the relationship forward.
In a statement issued after the meeting, the Ministry of External Affairs said both leaders agreed on the need to approach relations from a long-term strategic perspective. It said they welcomed the steady progress in India-China ties since their last meeting in Tianjin in August 2025 and reaffirmed that both countries should take a strategic and long-term view of the relationship. Differences should not become disputes, the statement said, with the Prime Minister stressing that both sides must be guided by mutual respect, mutual sensitivity and mutual interest.
Border Stability Stressed
During the discussions, the Prime Minister emphasised that stability along the border remains central to the future of India-China relations. He underlined the need for both sides to observe existing agreements and understandings on border-related issues.
The two leaders expressed commitment to a fair, reasonable and mutually acceptable resolution of the boundary question, proceeding from the political perspective of their overall bilateral relations and the long-term interests of the two peoples, the statement added.
They also reviewed progress in people-to-people exchanges and agreed on the need to strengthen cultural links, business ties and mobility between the two countries.
India is hosting the BRICS Summit on September 12 and 13, bringing together leaders from the bloc's 11 member countries, 10 partner nations and several international organisations.