Chinese President Xi Jinping skipped a gala dinner hosted by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi yesterday (12 September) for leaders of BRICS member and partner countries attending the grouping's summit.
UAE Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed, who left for home after attending the summit earlier in the day, was also a notable absentee from the dinner.
The reason for President Xi Jinping's absence, despite holding a bilateral meeting with Prime Minister Modi yesterday on the sidelines of the summit, was not immediately known.
A source suggested that Xi returned to his hotel to rest.
Russian President Vladimir Putin and other BRICS leaders attended the dinner.
India is hosting the summit, which began on 12 September and concludes today (13 September). Leaders of the 11 member countries and 10 partner countries, along with representatives of several international organisations, are attending the summit.
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