‘Is he ok?’ PM checks on Xi, then Chinese prez skips gala dinner: What happened at Brics?

Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s opening remarks at the Brics Summit in New Delhi took an unexpected turn on Saturday when he paused his speech after appearing to notice Chinese President Xi Jinping looking uncomfortable.

The brief exchange between the two leaders was captured in footage shared by Doordarshan and quickly became one of the talking points from the first day of the summit.

But hours later, Xi was notably absent from a gala dinner hosted by Modi for Brics leaders and other dignitaries, adding to the intrigue around his brief visit to India.

There was no official statement from either India or China explaining his absence.

Modi pauses speech to check on Xi

The incident happened during Modi’s opening remarks at Bharat Mandapam on Saturday, September 12. Prime Minister appeared to break from his speech after noticing Xi’s discomfort and asked the Chinese leader if “it is okay?”

India Today reported that Modi turned towards the translator accompanying Xi and asked, “Is he okay?” The Prime Minister repeated the question moments later.

It was not immediately clear what had caused Xi to appear uncomfortable. After a few seconds, Xi nodded, following which Modi continued with his speech.

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The footage shared by Doordarshan showed the moment occurring between roughly the 4.40-minute and 5.11-minute marks of the Prime Minister’s remarks. There was no official explanation from Beijing about what had caused Xi’s apparent discomfort.

The moment stood out because it came during Xi’s first visit to India in seven years, at a time when New Delhi and Beijing have been trying to improve ties after years of tensions over border.

Chinese President Xi Jinping waved as he arrived to attend the Brics Summit in New Delhi, India, September 12, 2026. Reuters

Xi skips Modi’s gala dinner

Later that evening, Xi did not attend the gala dinner hosted by Modi for leaders attending the Brics Summit, participating countries and international organisations.

India Today reported that a source suggested Xi had gone back to his hotel to rest after what had been a demanding day.

NDTV similarly reported that people with direct knowledge said Xi skipped the dinner because he was “tired and exhausted due to the time difference” after travelling to Delhi and attending a series of engagements.

The Chinese president had arrived in Delhi on Saturday afternoon. He attended the summit and later held a bilateral meeting with Modi before the dinner.

Xi was not the only prominent figure missing from the event. Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed was also absent after leaving for home following the summit.

Russian President Vladimir Putin and other Brics leaders attended the dinner, along with senior Indian political figures and Union ministers.

India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping share a moment at Bharat Mandapam, the venue of Brics Summit in New Delhi. Reuters

What Xi did on Saturday

Despite skipping the dinner, Xi had a packed schedule in Delhi. In his Brics address, Xi urged the grouping to play the role of a peacemaker in the Middle East conflict, Reuters reported.

China would work with other Brics members in that effort because the war “does not serve the common interests of the international community”, CCTV quoted Xi as saying.

Xi also described Brics as a “leading group” in the Global South and a model of self-reliance for emerging and developing countries. He said China would take over the Brics chairmanship next year and host the 19th Brics summit, according to CCTV.

The Chinese president’s remarks also looked beyond the immediate Middle East crisis. He said Brics should promote innovation-driven development and strengthen cooperation among emerging and developing countries.

Xi and Modi hold first bilateral in seven years

Xi later met Modi on the sidelines of the summit for bilateral talks, which is their first meeting on Indian soil in seven years. According to the Ministry of External Affairs, the two leaders “reaffirmed that both countries should take a strategic and long-term perspective of their ties.”

Modi stressed that “differences should not become disputes” and said India and China needed to be guided by “mutual respect, mutual sensitivity and mutual interest.”

The Prime Minister also underlined the importance of peace and tranquillity along the border to the continued development of bilateral relations, while calling for existing agreements and understandings on border-related issues to be observed.

The MEA said the two sides also expressed a 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.”

Xi, meanwhile, said China and India should approach their relationship strategically and with its long-term development in mind.

“China-India relations have developed, with both sides keeping in mind the long-term development of bilateral relations from a strategic perspective,” Xi said.

Xinhua quoted Xi as saying that China and India could learn from each other’s strengths and achieve shared development. Xi also said during his meeting with Modi that China viewed ties with India from a “strategic, long-term perspective.”

The two countries have been working to stabilise their relationship after years of tension linked to the border. India and China have also resumed direct flights, while New Delhi has relaxed some rules concerning Chinese investment, according to India Today.

Border issue still hangs over the thaw

The warmer public interactions between Modi and Xi did not erase the main sticking point in their relationship. India’s account of the bilateral talks placed particular emphasis on peace and tranquillity along the border as a foundation for improving ties.

China’s readout, however, framed the two issues somewhat differently, saying the countries should make “parallel, mutually reinforcing progress” on improving bilateral relations and addressing the border question while maintaining peace.

Chinese President left New Delhi on Sunday afternoon after completing his engagements at the BRICS Summit, ending his one-day India visit, News18 reported. Xi departed for the airport after delivering his remarks at the summit’s second session.

With inputs from agencies