Why Is Xi Jinping Skipping the BRICS Summit — A Strategic Opportunity for PM Modi?
#News Bureau, July6,2025
Chinese President Xi Jinping’s absence from the BRICS Summit has sparked intense diplomatic speculation.
What does this decision signal? How might it impact China’s foreign policy?
And more importantly, could this present a strategic opportunity for Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi?
A surprising development has stirred the waters of global diplomacy ahead of the 17th BRICS Summit, scheduled to take place in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on July 6–7.
For the first time in over a decade, Chinese President Xi Jinping will not be attending the summit.
Having been a regular participant for the past 12 years, Xi’s absence marks a significant shift.
In his place, Chinese Premier Li Qiang will represent China at the event.
This move is particularly noteworthy, as BRICS has been a cornerstone of China’s global strategic engagement.
Xi’s absence raises important questions:
Why Is Xi Jinping Skipping the BRICS Summit?
On July 2, 2025, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning confirmed in a press briefing that Premier Li Qiang will attend the BRICS summit in Rio from July 5 to 8.
However, no official reason was provided for President Xi’s absence.
Some reports have cited scheduling conflicts or other engagements, but many experts remain skeptical, suggesting deeper diplomatic or strategic considerations may be at play.
A surprising development has stirred the waters of global diplomacy ahead of the 17th BRICS Summit, scheduled to take place in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on July 6–7.
For the first time in over a decade, Chinese President Xi Jinping will not be attending the summit.
Having been a regular participant for the past 12 years, Xi’s absence marks a significant shift.
In his place, Chinese Premier Li Qiang will represent China at the event.
Why Is Xi Jinping Skipping the BRICS Summit?
On July 2, 2025, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning confirmed in a press briefing that Premier Li Qiang will attend the BRICS summit in Rio from July 5 to 8.
However, no official reason was provided for President Xi’s absence.
Some reports have cited scheduling conflicts or other engagements, but many experts remain skeptical, suggesting deeper diplomatic or strategic considerations may be at play.
Domestic Economic Challenges
Experts believe that President Xi Jinping’s focus is currently centered on China’s domestic economic issues.
Prolonged stagnation in capital markets, rising youth unemployment, and threats of new trade tariffs proposed by the United States have all intensified pressure on China’s economy.
According to a report, Professor Chong Ja Ian from the National University of Singapore stated that BRICS may not be Xi’s top priority right now, as he appears to be concentrating on ensuring economic stability at home.
Chinese officials have also indicated that Xi has already met Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva twice in the past year — once during the G20 Summit and state visit to Brasília in November 2024, and again in May 2025 during the China-CELAC Forum in Beijing.
On this basis, Beijing has attempted to justify Xi’s absence from the upcoming summit.
Political Speculations
Some informal sources and posts on X have speculated that President Xi Jinping’s absence may be due to internal political instability or possible health concerns.
Back in May 2025, Xi was not seen in public for nearly two weeks, sparking rumors and intensifying speculation about his whereabouts.
Some linked the absence to a potential power struggle within the Chinese Communist Party or even a rumored “coup.”
Journalist Jennifer Zeng claimed that military generals recently appointed by Xi are now being dismissed or sidelined—an indication of internal instability.
However, none of these claims have been officially confirmed and remain unverified speculation.
Other X posts suggested a different theory: that Xi skipped the summit due to a state dinner in Brazil held in honor of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, which he allegedly perceived as an insult.
This claim too remains unconfirmed and has not been taken seriously by analysts.
Why BRICS Matters
BRICS is considered a powerful platform for the Global South, designed to challenge the dominance of Western nations and the G7 bloc.
Initially composed of Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa, BRICS expanded in 2024 to include Egypt, the United Arab Emirates, Ethiopia, Indonesia, and Iran.
Together, BRICS now represents around 60% of global GDP and 75% of the world’s population.
President Xi Jinping has long promoted BRICS as a platform to reduce U.S. dominance in global governance and move toward a multipolar world order.
His absence from this year’s summit raises serious questions about the group’s unity and global influence.
Putin and Other Leaders Also Skipping the Summit
President Xi Jinping is not the only leader absent from the BRICS Summit.
Russian President Vladimir Putin will also not attend in person and will instead join via video link.
This is due to the fact that Brazil is a signatory to the International Criminal Court (ICC), which obligates it to arrest Putin over alleged war crimes in Ukraine if he were to visit.
There are also uncertainties surrounding the attendance of Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi and Iran’s President, largely due to escalating tensions in the Middle East.
Spotlight Likely to Be on PM Modi
With both Xi and Putin absent, the spotlight at the summit is expected to shift more toward
Not only will Modi attend the summit, but he will also be on an official state visit to Brazil.
Other key leaders expected to be present include South African President Cyril Ramaphosa and Indonesia’s President Prabowo Subianto.
What Does It Mean for India?
Following years of tension between India and China, there are now signs of cautious diplomatic improvement.
Xi Jinping’s absence from the BRICS Summit could offer Prime Minister Narendra Modi a strategic opportunity to strengthen India’s position on the global stage.
Some analysts believe that the next possible meeting between Xi and Modi may take place at the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit in 2025, which is expected to be hosted by China.
Xi Jinping’s absence from such a major BRICS gathering has raised significant questions in global diplomatic circles.
Is it a result of mounting domestic economic pressures? Or does it reflect deeper political instability within China?
Will it weaken the unity and global influence of BRICS?
While the answers to these questions remain unclear, what is certain is that Xi’s absence has given this year’s summit a whole new dimension.
