'Is it okay?' PM Modi pauses BRICS speech after Xi Jinping appears uncomfortable; Chinese President later skips gala dinner

Prime Minister Narendra Modi briefly paused his opening remarks at the BRICS Summit in New Delhi on Saturday after Chinese President Xi Jinping appeared uncomfortable during the session.

Modi turned towards Xi and asked the translator accompanying the Chinese president, “Is it okay?” He repeated the question moments later before continuing with his speech.

It was not immediately clear what had caused Xi’s apparent discomfort. The issue may have been related to the microphone or the translation of Modi’s remarks. There was no immediate official reaction from China.


Footage of the incident, shared by Doordarshan, shows the exchange between the 4:30-minute and 5-minute marks.

The BRICS Summit concluded in New Delhi on Sunday after two days of discussions involving leaders from the grouping’s 11 member countries and 10 partner countries. Xi, who was visiting India for the first time in seven years, also held bilateral talks with Modi on the sidelines of the summit.

Modi, Xi discuss future of India-China ties

During their 40-minute meeting, Modi and Xi agreed that India and China should take a strategic and long-term view of their relationship and ensure that differences do not turn into disputes.

Xi said the recent momentum in bilateral ties had been hard-won and should be cherished, pointing to the resumption of institutional exchanges, an expanding cooperation agenda and growing trade.

Modi welcomed the “steady progress” in relations but stressed that peace and tranquillity in border areas would remain an essential basis for the continued development of bilateral ties.

The meeting was the third interaction between the two leaders in two years, following their meetings in Kazan in 2024 and Tianjin last year. It was also their first meeting on Indian soil in seven years.

Xi reiterated that India and China were partners, not rivals. However, the Indian readout of the meeting did not include that formulation.

Border and trade issues remain key concerns

Modi stressed the need for both sides to honour existing agreements and understandings on border-related issues.

According to the Indian readout, the two leaders reaffirmed their commitment to finding a fair, reasonable and mutually acceptable solution to the boundary question, while keeping in mind the broader political perspective of bilateral ties and the long-term interests of both countries.

Modi also raised India’s trade deficit with China and called for greater predictability in supply chains and meaningful and predictable market access.

The two sides discussed concerns linked to structural trade imbalances, supply chains and economic cooperation.

Since the 2024 Kazan meeting, which marked the end of the eastern Ladakh border standoff, three rounds of talks between the Special Representatives of India and China have taken place.

At their latest meeting, the two sides agreed to work towards an early and substantial outcome on boundary delimitation and border management.

Modi highlights ‘three mutuals’

The leaders also noted progress in people-to-people relations and stressed the need to promote cultural exchanges, business ties and greater mobility.

“Prime Minister highlighted that both sides must be guided by three mutuals- mutual respect, mutual sensitivity and mutual interest,” the Indian readout said.

Modi and Xi also agreed to expand common ground on regional and global issues and cooperate in addressing shared challenges.

Xi called for a more rational and forward-looking strategic assessment of bilateral relations, along with win-win cooperation, mutual respect and understanding and inclusive multilateral cooperation.

Why did Xi skip Modi’s BRICS gala dinner?

Xi did not attend a gala dinner hosted by Modi for BRICS leaders, partner countries and representatives of international organisations, sources aware of the matter told PTI.

The reason for his absence was not immediately known. One source suggested that Xi had returned to his hotel to rest after a busy day at the summit.

Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed, who left for home after attending the summit, was also absent from the dinner.

Russian President Vladimir Putin and other BRICS leaders attended the event, along with Union ministers, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla and several chief ministers.

Union ministers Amit Shah, Nirmala Sitharaman, Piyush Goyal, Ashwini Vaishnaw and Shivraj Singh Chouhan were among those present. Chief ministers Yogi Adityanath, Devendra Fadnavis, Suvendu Adhikari and Himanta Biswa Sarma also attended.

The ministers and chief ministers travelled by two buses from Parliament House to Bharat Mandapam, where the dinner was held.

The menu featured khandvi mille-feuille, khumb galouti, paneer lababdar, gucchi marmik, carrot-bean poriyal and millet pulao. Desserts included Old Delhi fruit cream with jalebi and shahtoot phirni.

Inputs from agencies