No official explanation was issued by Beijing for Xi’s absence from the banquet. People familiar with the programme said he returned to his hotel after a demanding day of summit sessions and bilateral meetings, but this was not formally confirmed by China’s government.
Xi had arrived in New Delhi earlier on Saturday for the 18th BRICS Summit, his first visit to India in seven years, and took part in the opening-day proceedings at Bharat Mandapam. He also held talks with Modi on the sidelines of the gathering as the two governments sought to maintain momentum in a gradual improvement in relations.
The two leaders agreed that differences between their countries should not be allowed to become disputes and underlined the importance of approaching ties from a long-term strategic perspective. Modi stressed mutual respect, mutual sensitivity and mutual interests as guiding principles for managing the relationship, according to India’s official account of the meeting.
The bilateral talks also covered the need for peace and tranquillity along the disputed border, adherence to existing agreements, greater mobility, business links and cultural exchanges. Both sides raised economic concerns, including the structural trade imbalance, supply-chain issues and predictable market access. China’s account said Xi told Modi the two countries should regard each other as partners and support one another’s development. The exchange gave additional diplomatic weight to Xi’s presence at the summit despite his decision to skip the ceremonial dinner later that evening in New Delhi.
Xi’s absence from the dinner therefore came after a day in which he had participated fully in the principal diplomatic engagements. There was no indication from either side that the decision reflected a change in the tone of the bilateral meeting or the wider summit discussions.
The Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi was also absent, though for a separately established reason. Sheikh Khaled had departed New Delhi after concluding his scheduled summit programme and bilateral engagements earlier on Saturday. He had led the UAE delegation to the two-day meeting on behalf of President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan.
Before leaving, Sheikh Khaled met Modi on the sidelines of the summit. The two reviewed the UAE-India Comprehensive Strategic Partnership and discussed cooperation in areas including defence, space, nuclear energy, technology and innovation. Modi also acknowledged the UAE’s participation in BRICS during India’s chairship.
The Abu Dhabi Crown Prince also held other meetings during his visit, including an encounter with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, against the backdrop of heightened tensions in West Asia. His departure meant the UAE continued to be represented at the summit by other members of its delegation.
Saturday night’s banquet was attended by a wide range of BRICS leaders, visiting dignitaries and senior officials. Russian President Vladimir Putin was among those present, along with ministers from India, parliamentary leaders and chief ministers invited to the formal dinner at Bharat Mandapam.
The event formed part of the hospitality programme surrounding the summit rather than the negotiating schedule itself. The main substantive sessions continued separately, with leaders discussing economic cooperation, global governance reform, trade, technology, energy transition and coordination among emerging economies.
India is hosting the 2026 summit under the theme “Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability”. The gathering brings together the expanded BRICS membership and partner countries at a time of heightened geopolitical strain, trade disputes and conflicts affecting several member states.
China has publicly backed India’s BRICS presidency. Ahead of the summit, Beijing said Xi would attend the leaders’ meeting in New Delhi from September 12 to 13 at Modi’s invitation, while China’s ambassador said Beijing supported closer cooperation across the expanded grouping.
