Video: PM Modi Pauses BRICS Speech To Check On China's Xi Jinping - NDTV
A brief video captured PM Narendra Modi pausing his BRICS speech to look at President Xi, who later skipped the gala dinner hosted by Modi. The incident coincided with China’s presentation of an AI‑focused vision for BRICS, highlighting both collaborative ambitions and underlying diplomatic sensitivities.
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A brief video captured PM Narendra Modi pausing his BRICS speech to look at President Xi, who later skipped the gala dinner hosted by Modi. The incident coincided with China’s presentation of an AI‑focused vision for BRICS, highlighting both collaborative ambitions and underlying diplomatic sensitivities.
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**Video Shows PM Modi Briefly Pausing His BRICS Address to Look at President Xi Jinping**
During the opening day of the BRICS summit in Johannesburg, a short clip captured Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi momentarily halting his speech to glance toward the podium where Chinese President Xi Jinping was seated. The footage, first broadcast by NDTV, showed Modi’s eyes flicker to Xi, who appeared to be shifting uncomfortably in his chair. The brief pause, lasting only a few seconds, was followed by Modi resuming his remarks on “greater cooperation” among the five member states. The incident quickly went viral on social media, prompting a flurry of commentary about the underlying diplomatic tone of the meeting.
The visual cue came amid a series of unusual protocol choices on the summit’s first day. According to reports from the Times of India and NDTV, Xi skipped the gala dinner that Prime Minister Modi had hosted for the BRICS leaders, a departure from the customary evening receptions that accompany such high‑level gatherings. While no official explanation was offered, analysts have suggested that the Chinese president’s absence may have been linked to a packed schedule, security considerations, or a subtle signal of dissatisfaction with certain agenda items. In parallel, China used its speaking slot to unveil an ambitious roadmap for artificial‑intelligence‑driven “smart manufacturing” within the BRICS framework, a move highlighted by The Hindu as part of Beijing’s push for deeper technological collaboration.
The episode has sparked discussion among diplomats and scholars about the state of India‑China relations within the multilateral setting. Indian officials downplayed the significance of Modi’s glance, describing it as a routine moment of courtesy, while Chinese spokespeople emphasized the constructive nature of the AI and trade proposals presented at the summit. Observers note that the episode underscores the delicate balancing act the BRICS group faces as it seeks to present a united front on economic and security issues, even as individual members navigate their own bilateral tensions. The incident, however brief, may serve as a visual reminder that interpersonal dynamics continue to shape the politics of large‑scale alliances.
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