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

Some leaders of the BRICS grouping who skipped a dinner hosted by Prime Minister Narendra Modi last night included Chinese President Xi Jinping and Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed, people familiar with the matter said.The Chinese president landed in Delhi on Saturday afternoon and attended the BRICS Summit, besides having a bilateral meeting with PM Modi.It was a long day for the leaders. The day was also packed with important diplomatic activity.Xi skipped the dinner because he was tired and exhausted due to the time difference, people with direct knowledge of the matter said. The Chinese president attended the engagements after a long flight, they said.Russian President Vladimir Putin and other leaders of the BRICS grouping attended the dinner. Union ministers and the chief ministers of several states were also present.These include Amit Shah, Nirmala Sitharaman, Piyush Goyal, Ashwini Vaishnaw and Shivraj Singh Chouhan.