Key Leaders Absent from BRICS 2026 Gala Dinner
Chinese President Xi Jinping and Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed were conspicuously absent from a high-profile gala dinner hosted by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on September 13, 2026, marking the conclusion of the first day of the BRICS Summit in New Delhi.
Sources close to the matter indicated that President Xi Jinping had returned to his hotel for rest, citing a demanding schedule during the summit. Earlier that day, Xi, who arrived in New Delhi on September 12, had participated in the main summit session and held a bilateral meeting with Prime Minister Modi.
The Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed, also did not attend the dinner. Reports suggest he had departed for home earlier on the same day, prior to the evening event.
Summit Proceedings and Distinguished Guests
Despite the notable absences, the gala dinner at Bharat Mandapam saw a significant turnout of other world leaders. Russian President Vladimir Putin was present, alongside other heads of state from the BRICS grouping, representatives from participating partner countries, and various international organizations.
The event also featured extensive representation from the Indian leadership. Union Ministers including Amit Shah, Nirmala Sitharaman, Piyush Goyal, Ashwini Vaishnaw, and Shivraj Singh Chouhan attended, traveling together with several state leaders in two buses from Parliament House to the venue. Key attendees included Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla and Chief Ministers such as Yogi Adityanath, Devendra Fadnavis, Suvendu Adhikari, and Himanta Biswa Sarma.
A Culinary Showcase of Indian Hospitality
Guests were treated to a meticulously curated culinary experience, showcasing India's rich gastronomic heritage. The menu featured dishes like khandvi mille-feuille, khumb galouti, and paneer lababdar. A highlight was the gucchi marmik, a rare Himalayan mushroom delicacy, served alongside carrot-bean poriyal and millet pulao. For dessert, attendees enjoyed traditional Old Delhi fruit cream paired with jalebi and shahtoot phirni.
India is hosting the two-day BRICS Summit from September 12-13, 2026, bringing together leaders from 11 member nations, 10 partner countries, and various international bodies for discussions on global cooperation and development.