'Is it okay?' PM Modi pauses speech as Xi appears uncomfortable - video

Xi was visiting India for the first time in seven years.

NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi briefly interrupted his opening remarks at the Brics Summit on Saturday after Chinese President Xi Jinping appeared to be uncomfortable.PM Modi turned towards Xi and asked the translator accompanying the Chinese president, “Is it okay?” He repeated the question moments later.It was not immediately clear what had caused Xi’s apparent discomfort. It may have been related to the microphone or the translation of PM Modi’s remarks. There was no immediate official reaction from China.Xi, who was visiting India for the first time in seven years, later attended the Brics Summit and held bilateral talks with PM Modi.

Xi skips Brics gala dinner

Xi, however, did not attend a gala dinner hosted by PM Modi for Brics leaders, partner countries and representatives of international organisations, sources aware of the matter told PTI.The reason for his absence was not immediately known. A source suggested that Xi had returned to his hotel to rest after a busy day.Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed, who left for home after attending the summit, was also absent from the dinner.

Russian President Vladimir Putin and other Brics leaders attended the event. Union ministers, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla and several chief ministers were also present.Union ministers at the dinner included Amit Shah, Nirmala Sitharaman, Piyush Goyal, Ashwini Vaishnaw and Shivraj Singh Chouhan. Chief ministers Yogi Adityanath, Devendra Fadnavis, Suvendu Adhikari and Himanta Biswa Sarma also attended.

The ministers and chief ministers travelled in two buses from Parliament House to Bharat Mandapam, where the dinner was held.The dinner menu featured khandvi mille-feuille, khumb galouti, paneer lababdar, gucchi marmik, carrot-bean poriyal and millet pulao.The dessert menu included Old Delhi fruit cream with jalebi and shahtoot phirni. India is hosting the Brics Summit on September 12-13, with leaders from the 11 member countries and 10 partner countries, along with representatives of international organisations, attending the event.