Chinese President Xi Jinping skipped the Brics gala dinner hosted by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi on Saturday, according to reports from news agencies. The event, held at Bharat Mandapam, was attended by Brics leaders, senior delegates, and representatives of international organizations. Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi represented China at the dinner, as per ANI, while the reason for Xi’s absence was not immediately known. A PTI report suggested Xi returned to his hotel to rest after arriving in New Delhi in the afternoon.

The dinner, which followed the Brics Leaders’ Summit, was attended by Russian President Vladimir Putin and other Brics leaders, along with Union ministers and chief ministers of several states. Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla and chief ministers such as Yogi Adityanath, Devendra Fadnavis, Suvendu Adhikari, and Himanta Biswa Sarma also attended. The menu featured Indian cuisine, including khandvi mille-feuille, khumb galouti, paneer lababdar, and millet pulao.

Xi, who arrived in New Delhi on Saturday afternoon, had attended the Brics Leaders’ Summit earlier in the day and held a bilateral meeting with Modi. During the meeting, Xi emphasized the importance of long-term strategic cooperation between India and China, stating that both countries had supported each other’s development despite differences. Modi, in turn, thanked China for its support during India’s Brics chairmanship and reaffirmed the commitment to resolving the India-China boundary issue through mutual respect and sensitivity.

The absence of Xi from the gala dinner sparked curiosity, as no official explanation was provided. While PTI suggested Xi returned to his hotel to rest, no other sources confirmed this. The Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed, was also absent after leaving for home following the summit. The Chinese Foreign Ministry released a statement quoting Xi as saying that China and India are partners rather than rivals, and that both sides should address economic and trade concerns in a balanced way.

The event marked the second visit of Xi to New Delhi in 12 years, during which he and Modi met more than 20 times, resulting in a series of important consensuses. The Brics Summit, hosted by India, is being attended by leaders of 11 member countries and 10 partner nations, along with some international organizations.

The exact reason for Xi’s absence remains unknown, and no further details were provided in the available sources. The event highlighted the diplomatic engagement between India and China, despite ongoing differences, and underscored the importance of bilateral cooperation in the context of the Brics summit.