PM Modi Pauses BRICS Speech to Check on Xi Jinping
PM Modi pauses BRICS speech to check on Xi Jinping after noticing him during the New Delhi summit. Xi later nodded that all was well.
The moment PM Modi pauses BRICS speech to check on Xi Jinping briefly interrupted the opening proceedings of the BRICS Summit in New Delhi on Saturday. The brief exchange between Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping attracted attention inside the summit hall. The Times of Russia reports on the moment as leaders gathered for the two-day summit.
As Prime Minister Narendra Modi was delivering his opening remarks to BRICS leaders, he suddenly stopped speaking after noticing Chinese President Xi Jinping. The interruption lasted just a few moments, with Modi looking towards the Chinese leader and appearing concerned.
PM Modi then sought clarification from Xi Jinping’s interpreter.
“Is it okay?” PM Modi asked.
When there was no immediate response, he repeated the question and waited briefly. Xi soon nodded, indicating that everything was fine. PM Modi then continued his speech, and the summit proceedings carried on.
The reason for the brief episode was not immediately known. The exchange, in which PM Modi pauses BRICS speech to check on Xi Jinping, was captured on camera only a few minutes after the Prime Minister began his opening statement.
Xi Jinping is visiting India for the first time in seven years. After taking part in the summit proceedings, the Chinese President did not attend a dinner hosted by PM Modi.
People familiar with the matter said Xi skipped the dinner because he was tired following his long journey and a packed schedule. Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed was also among those who did not attend the gathering.
Xi Jinping’s Packed Schedule During India Visit
Xi Jinping arrived in New Delhi on Saturday and spent the day participating in summit-related activities, including bilateral meetings.
People with direct knowledge of the matter said the Chinese President missed the dinner after becoming tired from travelling and experiencing the effects of the time difference.
Despite not attending the evening gathering, Xi maintained a busy schedule during his visit to the Indian capital.
He participated in the two-day BRICS Summit at Bharat Mandapam, joined other leaders for a tree plantation drive and visited the Bharat Innovates Exposition held alongside the summit.
Xi also met with PM Modi for bilateral talks. The two leaders reviewed the current state of India-China relations and discussed ways to take the relationship forward.
The brief moment when PM Modi pauses BRICS speech to check on Xi Jinping came during a broader period of diplomatic engagement between the two leaders.
PM Modi Pauses BRICS Speech to Check on Xi Jinping Amid India-China Talks
Following the meeting between PM Modi and Xi Jinping, the Ministry of External Affairs issued a statement saying that both leaders agreed on the importance of viewing bilateral relations from a long-term strategic perspective.
The MEA said:
“The two leaders welcomed the steady progress in India-China bilateral relations since their last meeting in Tianjin in August 2025. They reaffirmed that both countries should take a strategic and long-term perspective of their ties. Differences should not become disputes. The Prime Minister highlighted that both sides must be guided by three mutuals- mutual respect, mutual sensitivity and mutual interest,” MEA said in a statement.
The statement highlighted the progress made in India-China relations since the leaders’ previous meeting in Tianjin in August 2025.
Both sides also reaffirmed that disagreements between India and China should not turn into disputes, while PM Modi stressed the importance of mutual respect, mutual sensitivity and mutual interest.
Border Peace Remains Crucial for India-China Relations
During their discussions, PM Modi stressed that stability along the India-China border remains essential to the future of bilateral relations.
“He underlined the need for both sides to observe existing agreements and understandings on border-related issues. The two leaders expressed 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,” the MEA statement added.
The two leaders also reviewed developments involving people-to-people exchanges.
They agreed on the need to further strengthen cultural connections, business relations and mobility between India and China.
The interaction between PM Modi and Xi came as India hosted the BRICS Summit in New Delhi on September 12 and 13.
India’s hosting of the summit brought together leaders from the bloc’s 11 member countries, 10 partner nations and several international organisations.
The episode in which PM Modi pauses BRICS speech to check on Xi Jinping therefore occurred during a major gathering focused on cooperation among BRICS members and their partners, while India and China also continued their bilateral engagement.
The brief exchange ended after Xi nodded to indicate that he was fine, allowing PM Modi to resume his opening remarks and continue with the summit proceedings.
The Times of Russia will continue to cover developments surrounding the BRICS Summit, India-China relations and the engagements between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping.
