PM Modi’s warm gesture to Xi steals the show at BRICS summit
An innocent query at a global event, with world leaders in attendance, has hit the headlines. Addressing the BRICS summit, Prime Minister Modi paused shortly after noticing Chinese President Xi Jinping’s discomfort and asked: “Is it okay?” Getting no immediate response, he repeated the question, and the visiting leader nodded. While the reason for the brief interruption was unclear, it could have been an issue with the mic or translation of Modi’s speech. The Chinese President later skipped the dinner hosted for the BRICS leaders as he was tired after a packed schedule and time difference, sources said. Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed also did not attend the dinner.
The brief interaction, captured in footage shared by Doordarshan, took place between the 4.40 and 5.11 marks of Modi’s opening remarks. The moment came during Xi’s first visit to India in seven years and added to several recent moments of interaction between the two leaders at the BRICS Summit.
While it might be a small incident, it was a telling moment of bonhomie between the two leaders. It appeared to reflect PM Modi’s personal concern for the Chinese President at a time when both nations are looking to reset ties and move on from border disputes.
Later in the day, Xi skipped a dinner hosted by PM Modi. People with direct knowledge of the matter said the Chinese President missed the dinner because he was tired after travelling and was affected by the time difference. Despite skipping the evening event, Xi maintained a packed schedule during his visit. Xi on Sunday departed from New Delhi after participating in the Summit.
Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed, who left for home after attending the summit, was also absent from the dinner.
Before the summit began, Xi was accorded a warm welcome by PM Modi at the Bharat Mandapam. The two leaders shook hands in front of a projection showing the iconic 1,212-pillar corridor from Tamil Nadu’s Ramanathswamy temple.
Later in the day, PM Modi and Xi were also seen sharing a long handshake at the Bharat Mandapam. Another striking moment was the Modi-Putin-Xi huddle, evoking memories of the trio’s viral photo on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit in Tianjin last year.
The BRICS Summit concluded in New Delhi on Sunday after two days of discussions involving leaders from the grouping’s 11 member countries and 10 partner countries.
