Chinese President Xi Jinping’s absence from a high-profile dinner hosted by Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the BRICS Summit has sparked diplomatic speculation, with some observers questioning whether the decision carried a subtle message for New Delhi.
Xi was not present at the gala dinner held by Prime Minister Modi at Bharat Mandapam for leaders attending the summit. No official explanation was publicly given for his absence. However, sources familiar with the matter said the Chinese president returned to his hotel to rest after a busy day of diplomatic engagements. Click Here To Follow Our WhatsApp Channel
Xi had arrived in New Delhi earlier in the day and took part in the opening sessions of the BRICS Summit. He also held a bilateral meeting with Prime Minister Modi on the sidelines of the gathering, where the two leaders discussed the state of India-China relations and stressed the need to prevent existing differences from turning into disputes.
The evening banquet featured a carefully prepared vegetarian menu showcasing Indian cuisine, along with cultural performances highlighting the country’s traditions. Russian President Vladimir Putin attended the dinner, along with senior members of the Indian Cabinet and other state dignitaries.
Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed was also absent from the banquet after leaving India earlier.
Diplomatic message or simple absence?
Although Xi’s absence was officially unexplained, some diplomatic observers have suggested that the decision could have been deliberate and may have been intended to convey a subtle message to India.
The timing has attracted particular attention because Xi had already held direct talks with Modi earlier in the day. The bilateral meeting was closely watched amid efforts by both countries to manage tensions and prevent disagreements from escalating.
However, there is no confirmed evidence that Xi skipped the dinner for political reasons. His absence may simply have been related to fatigue or scheduling following an intensive day of summit meetings.
The speculation nevertheless reflects the sensitivity surrounding every major diplomatic gesture involving India and China. Even relatively informal decisions by senior leaders can attract considerable attention when bilateral relations remain under close scrutiny.
Modi-Xi talks take centre stage
Despite his absence from the evening reception, Xi’s visit involved substantive diplomatic engagement with the Indian leadership. His meeting with Modi provided an important opportunity for both sides to emphasize dialogue and restraint.
The two leaders reportedly agreed that differences between India and China should not be allowed to develop into disputes, underscoring the importance of maintaining stability in bilateral relations.
Xi’s decision to attend the summit sessions and hold talks with Modi, while skipping the dinner, therefore presents a mixed diplomatic picture: engagement at the formal level, alongside questions over the significance of his absence from a high-profile social event.
For now, Beijing has not indicated that the decision was intended as a diplomatic signal. Any interpretation of it as a deliberate message to India remains speculation rather than an established fact.
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