Why Xi Jinping Skipped Dinner Hosted By PM Modi On BRICS Day 1 - NDTV

**Why Chinese President Xi Jinping Skipped the Dinner Hosted by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on BRICS Day 1**

*New Delhi –* On the opening day of the 2024 BRICS summit in Johannesburg, Chinese President Xi Jinping declined an invitation to attend a bilateral dinner hosted by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The snub, reported by NDTV, came at a moment when both leaders were slated to hold their first face‑to‑face talks on Indian soil since 2019. While the official line from the Chinese delegation cited “a tightly packed summit programme” as the reason, analysts note that the decision carries diplomatic weight, signaling a cautious approach amid lingering border tensions and a broader strategic rivalry with the United States.

During the summit, Xi used his speaking slot to outline an ambitious vision for artificial intelligence, positioning China as a leader in AI development and standards‑setting. In a Bloomberg interview, he argued that “the next wave of technological competition will define global governance,” implicitly challenging U.S. dominance in the sector. Meanwhile, Modi, in remarks broadcast by CNBC and the *Telegraph India*, emphasized that “border peace is the cornerstone of India‑China relations,” urging both sides to maintain tranquility while diplomatic channels remain open. The two leaders also exchanged brief comments on the need for confidence‑building measures, though no concrete agreements were announced at the time.

Adding to the diplomatic nuance, Xi’s remarks to the Times of India quoted him saying that “the ‘might‑makes‑right’ logic should have been discarded long ago,” a statement that many interpret as a subtle rebuke of unilateral power plays in international affairs. The comment dovetails with his AI pitch and the United States‑China “duel” over technology, underscoring Beijing’s desire to reshape global norms without resorting to overt coercion. As the summit proceeds, the absence of a shared dinner may be a minor protocol deviation, but it highlights the delicate balancing act both capitals are performing: pursuing cooperation where possible, while keeping strategic competition firmly in view.