Xi Jinping May Miss BRICS Summit Amid Brazil’s Invitation to PM Modi
The upcoming BRICS summit in Rio de Janeiro might witness an unusual absence: Chinese President Xi Jinping could forego attending for the first time. Speculation is swirling among diplomats and officials over whether an invitation extended to India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi for a state dinner by Brazil’s President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva has played a part in this unexpected development.
Official Reasons and Underlying Tensions
Chinese officials have officially cited "scheduling conflicts" as the reason behind Xi’s potential no-show. In his stead, Premier Li Qiang is expected to lead the Chinese delegation. Yet, insiders suggest deeper factors might be involved.
According to those close to the matter, there is a concern in Beijing that the high-profile meeting and state dinner honoring Modi could overshadow Xi's presence, reducing China’s perceived prominence at the summit. The fear is that Modi could become the center of attention, leaving Xi playing a secondary role on the global stage.
Brazil’s Frustration Grows
Brazilian officials appear increasingly frustrated by the situation. President Lula, who has met Xi twice within the past year—once during the G20 summit and a state visit in Brasília last November, and again at the China-CELAC forum in Beijing in May—had hoped for reciprocal engagement. Lula’s visit to Beijing in May was viewed as a goodwill gesture, with the expectation that Xi would attend the BRICS summit in Brazil.
Lula’s special adviser for international affairs, Celso Amorim, even pressed the Chinese Foreign Minister on the matter in February. Amorim emphasized China’s essential role within BRICS, stating, “BRICS without China is not BRICS.” He recalled that during the inaugural BRICS summit hosted by Brazil, then-president Hu Jintao attended despite significant domestic challenges, highlighting the importance of China’s commitment.
China's Official Position and BRICS Cooperation
Despite the murmurs about Xi’s absence, China maintains a publicly supportive stance toward Brazil’s BRICS presidency. A Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson highlighted Beijing’s commitment to fostering deeper cooperation among BRICS members, emphasizing the group’s strategic resolve amid global volatility.
“In a volatile and turbulent world, BRICS nations maintain their strategic resolve and work together for global peace, stability and development,” the spokesperson affirmed.
BRICS Summit’s Geopolitical Significance
The 17th BRICS Summit under Brazil’s chairmanship will bring together leaders from the major emerging economies to deliberate on global cooperation and development. Notably, the summit platform has played a role in vital diplomatic engagements. For instance, in October 2024, Prime Minister Modi and President Xi Jinping met during the BRICS Summit in Russia, marking their first face-to-face since the 2020 clashes along the Himalayas.
This upcoming summit now carries the added complexity of China’s potential absence juxtaposed with a spotlight on Modi’s growing presence on the international stage, particularly through Brazil’s invitation for a state dinner—a move interpreted by some as elevating India’s stature within BRICS and beyond.
