No Show in Rio: Xi Jinping Sidesteps BRICS as Modi Takes Center Stage

Chinese President Xi Jinping will be absent from the upcoming BRICS summit in Rio de Janeiro for the first time during his presidency, a decision that has rattled diplomatic circles and left host nation Brazil visibly agitated. The summit on July 6-7 was supposed to be a summit of the world's top emerging economies' leaders, but Xi's absence is raising alarm at shifting loyalties and seething tensions in the bloc.

 

Key Highlights:

 

Xi's First-Ever Absence: Xi Jinping has never missed a BRICS summit since 2013, although he joined virtually during the pandemic.

 

Official Reason – Scheduling Conflict: The official reason provided by Beijing is that of "scheduling conflict." Chinese Premier Li Qiang will head the delegation on behalf of Xi.

 

Modi's State Dinner Invitation an Issue of Consideration: Some reports and sources have suggested that the state dinner invitation offered to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi by Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva after the summit might have been an issue of consideration. Chinese officials were reportedly concerned that the Modi-Lula encounter would overshadow Xi and reduce him to a "supporting actor.".

 

Recent Xi-Lula Meetings: Xi and Lula have also met on two occasions within a year, at the G20 summit and the China-CELAC Forum, cited by Chinese authorities as another reason for not attending the summit.

 

Brazil's Disappointment: Brazilian authorities candidly declared their disappointment, especially following Lula's trip to Beijing in May, which was read as a good-will gesture to convince Xi to come to the summit.

 

BRICS Dynamics: The summit would be centered on expanded BRICS membership, but the absence of China's leader is viewed as a setback for bloc cohesion and for Brazilian diplomatic ambitions. China's Official Stand: Despite the diplomatic snub, China reaffirmed its backing of Brazil's BRICS chairmanship and asserted cooperation between the member countries.

 

"In the face of the turbulent and unstable global situation, BRICS nations are steadfast in their strategic will and act collectively for international peace, stability and development," Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun stated.

 

With Xi Jinping absent, all eyes will be on Premier Li Qiang and the to-and-fro between Modi and Lula, as the summit navigates new geopolitical currents.

 

Source: The Independent, Firstpost, South China Morning Post, Rediff, Economic Times, Swarajya, India Today.