September 13, 2026 :Chinese President Xi Jinping skipped the official gala dinner hosted by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi. The high-profile evening dinner celebrated world leaders attending the 18th annual BRICS Summit at Bharat Mandapam.
While President Xi attended summit sessions and held bilateral talks with PM Modi, his evening absence raised diplomatic curiosity. Official sources indicated that the Chinese leader returned to his hotel to rest following a demanding travel itinerary.
Heavy Schedule and Travel Demands
President Xi arrived in the capital on Saturday afternoon after departing Beijing early in the day. He went straight into summit meetings without rest. Later in the evening, he engaged in formal bilateral discussions with Prime Minister Modi.
Additionally, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan missed the dinner table. Unlike the Chinese delegation, the UAE leader had scheduled his departure immediately after the summit.
| Leader | Attendance Status | Officially Stated Reason |
| Xi Jinping (China) | Absent from Dinner | Returned to hotel for rest |
| Sheikh Khaled (UAE) | Absent from Dinner | Pre-scheduled departure to Abu Dhabi |
| Vladimir Putin (Russia) | Attended Dinner | Full evening participation |
| Masoud Pezeshkian (Iran) | Attended Dinner | Full evening participation |
High-Profile Dignitaries and Regional Leaders Attend Event
Despite President Xi’s absence, the gala dinner hosted top foreign leaders and Indian officials. Russian President Vladimir Putin joined leaders from Africa, South America, and Asia at the primary table.
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Senior Indian cabinet ministers and state chief ministers traveled together from Parliament House to Bharat Mandapam. They engaged in informal discussions with foreign delegates throughout the evening.
| Indian Leadership Category | Key Dignitaries Present |
| Union Cabinet Ministers | Amit Shah, Nirmala Sitharaman, Piyush Goyal, Ashwini Vaishnaw |
| Parliamentary Officials | Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla |
| State Chief Ministers | Yogi Adityanath, Devendra Fadnavis, Suvendu Adhikari, Himanta Biswa Sarma |
Curated Menu Showcases Traditional Indian Culinary Heritage
The official menu highlighted regional Indian cuisine and seasonal ingredients. Chefs served a balanced multi-course meal featuring traditional street flavors and classic royal preparations.
| Course Category | Selected Menu Dishes Served |
| Appetizers | Khandvi Mille-Feuille, Khumb Galouti |
| Main Entrées | Paneer Lababdar, Gucchi Marmik, Carrot-Bean Poriyal, Millet Pulao |
| Traditional Desserts | Old Delhi Fruit Cream with Jalebi, Shahtoot Phirni |
Broader Context of the 2026 BRICS Summit
India’s 2026 chairship brought together 11 full member countries and 10 invited partner states. Despite the dinner absence, bilateral discussions between India and China yielded constructive progress on economic ties and border stability.
Both leaders reaffirmed their commitment to maintaining peace along border zones while building balanced trade structures. The summit concludes on Sunday after final working sessions.
Published By Senior Foreign Affairs Editor