NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi briefly interrupted his opening remarks at the Brics Summit on Saturday after Chinese President Xi Jinping appeared to be uncomfortable.PM Modi turned towards Xi and asked the translator accompanying the Chinese president, “Is it okay?” He repeated the question moments later.It was not immediately clear what had caused Xi’s apparent discomfort. It may have been related to the microphone or the translation of PM Modi’s remarks. There was no immediate official reaction from China.The footage of the speech, shared by Doordarshan, shows the incident between the 4:30- and 5-minute marks. Xi, who was visiting India for the first time in seven years, later attended the Brics Summit and held bilateral talks with PM Modi.
Modi, Xi discuss future of bilateral ties
During their 40-minute meeting on the sidelines of the Brics Summit, the two leaders 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 current momentum in bilateral ties, built on the resumption of institutional exchanges, an expanding cooperation agenda and growing trade, had been hard-won and should be cherished.PM Modi welcomed the “steady progress” in relations but underlined that peace and tranquillity in border areas would remain an essential basis for the continued development of bilateral ties.The meeting was the leaders’ third bilateral interaction 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 did not include that formulation.Also read: Why Xi Jinping skipped PM Modi’s gala dinner at Brics Summit in Delhi
Border, trade issues on agenda
PM Modi stressed the need for both sides to honour existing agreements and understandings on border-related issues.The Indian side said the leaders reaffirmed their commitment to finding a fair, reasonable and mutually acceptable solution to the boundary question, 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, predictable market access.The two sides discussed the need to address concerns related 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.
Three ‘mutuals’ guide ties
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.They 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, win-win cooperation, mutual respect and understanding, and inclusive multilateral cooperation.
Xi skips gala dinner
Xi Jinping, however, did not attend a gala dinner hosted by PM 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. A source suggested that Xi had returned to his hotel to rest after a busy day.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. Union ministers, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla and several chief ministers were also present.Union ministers at the dinner included Amit Shah, Nirmala Sitharaman, Piyush Goyal, Ashwini Vaishnaw and Shivraj Singh Chouhan. Chief ministers Yogi Adityanath, Devendra Fadnavis, Suvendu Adhikari and Himanta Biswa Sarma also attended.
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The ministers and chief ministers travelled in two buses from Parliament House to Bharat Mandapam, where the dinner was held.The dinner menu featured khandvi mille-feuille, khumb galouti, paneer lababdar, gucchi marmik, carrot-bean poriyal and millet pulao.The dessert menu included Old Delhi fruit cream with jalebi and shahtoot phirni. India is hosting the Brics Summit on September 12-13, with leaders from the 11 member countries and 10 partner countries, along with representatives of international organisations, attending the event.
