Modi pauses BRICS speech to check on Xi Jinping, sparking health speculation
At the BRICS summit in New Delhi, Narendra Modi halted his opening remarks to ask if President Xi Jinping was okay, prompting online rumours about the Chinese leader's health.
In New Delhi, Narendra Modi stopped his opening address at the BRICS summit when a commotion drew his attention to President Xi Jinping, asking the translator, "Is it okay?" Video showed several aides rushing to Xi, after which he nodded and the proceedings continued. Later, Xi skipped the evening gala hosted by Modi, with a source saying he was tired and returned to his hotel, intensifying rumours about his health—a topic traditionally kept secret by Beijing.
Commentators such as Gordon G. Chang and activist Xie Wanjun seized on the incident, suggesting it signaled a weakening regime. The summit, also attended by Vladimir Putin, concluded with leaders urging inclusive global growth and a more multipolar world order. Underlying China-India tensions persist over a disputed border, and the visit was marked by protests from Tibetan exiles, including the Dalai Lama.
Why it matters
The incident highlights uncertainty around China's top leader and could affect diplomatic dynamics within the influential BRICS bloc.
How this story developed
- Sep 11 Modi and Putin share a private car ride in Delhi ahead of BRICS summit
- Sep 11 The two leaders shared a car ride to the INNOPROM India exhibition after their bilateral talks.
- Sep 11 BRICS expanded to eleven member countries.
- Sep 12 The 18th BRICS summit opened in New Delhi with India presiding and leaders including Xi Jinping arriving for the meeting.
- Sep 12 Modi called for immediate UN Security Council reform and urged the Global South to become a rule‑shaper at the summit's opening.
- Sep 12 The two leaders reaffirmed the need for mutual respect, sensitivity and shared interests while discussing border stability and economic cooperation. They highlighted progress in people-to-people contacts and called for expanded cultural, business and mobility links. Both sides also pledged to address trade imbalances, supply-chain challenges and to seek a fair, mutually acceptable resolution of the boundary issue.
- Sep 12 Chinese President Xi Jinping called on BRICS nations at the New Delhi summit to support peace initiatives in the Middle East, saying the war harms the international community.
- Sep 12 The two leaders met on the margins of the BRICS Summit. Vietnam is a partner country in the BRICS grouping.
- Sep 12 Leaders adopted the Delhi Declaration and Modi proposed a continuity mechanism to implement summit outcomes.
- Sep 12 The leaders met bilaterally during the BRICS summit in New Delhi.
- Sep 13 Leaders adopted a 140‑point New Delhi Declaration covering security, trade, climate and technology issues.
- Sep 13 Day 2 of the summit focused on PM Modi’s four‑pillar BRICS agenda, early‑warning and disaster systems, AI, digital agriculture, supply chains and startups.
- Sep 13 President Xi outlined proposals for a BRICS AI Open Source Zone and a China‑hosted service‑trade forum.
- Sep 13 Modi paused his closing‑session speech to query Xi’s translator after the Chinese president showed discomfort and skipped the gala dinner.
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