Why did Xi Jinping skip Modi-hosted BRICS gala dinner after Delhi summit?

Chinese President Xi Jinping skipped a gala dinner hosted by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday for BRICS leaders, participating countries and representatives of international organisations, sources aware of the matter said. 

Xi's absence was notable, although the reason was not immediately known. One source suggested that the Chinese president may have returned to his hotel to rest. Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed, who left for home after attending the BRICS Summit earlier in the day, was also absent from the dinner. 

Russian President Vladimir Putin and other BRICS leaders attended the event. Union ministers and chief ministers of several states were also present.  

What was on the BRICS gala dinner menu 

The dinner featured a selection of Indian dishes presented with contemporary interpretations. The menu included khandvi mille-feuille, khumb galouti, paneer lababdar, gucchi marmic, carrot-bean poriyal, and millet pulao. 

The dessert menu featured Old Delhi fruit cream with jalebi and shahtoot phirni. 

What did Xi and Modi discuss in their bilateral meeting 

Xi arrived in New Delhi on Saturday afternoon and attended the BRICS Summit before holding a bilateral meeting with Modi. 

During the meeting, the two leaders discussed border peace, trade, economic relations and ways to expand cooperation between India and China. 

The leaders welcomed the steady progress in bilateral relations since their previous meeting in Tianjin in August 2025 and reaffirmed the need to take a strategic and long-term view of ties. 

“Differences should not become disputes,” Modi said, stressing that bilateral relations should be guided by three principles—mutual respect, mutual sensitivity, and mutual interest. 

India and China on the boundary issue 

The two leaders reaffirmed their commitment to finding a fair, reasonable and mutually acceptable resolution to the boundary question. 

They agreed that the issue should be approached from the broader political perspective of bilateral relations and the long-term interests of the people of both countries. The talks come as New Delhi and Beijing seek to consolidate an improvement in bilateral ties following several rounds of diplomatic and military engagement along the border.