‘Is it okay?’ PM Modi pauses BRICS speech after Xi Jinping appears uncomfortable

The brief exchange took place as the BRICS leaders were seated at Bharat Mandapam.

The reason for the apparent discomfort was not immediately clear, with the camera pulling back from the leaders as Modi paused his remarks.

Modi stops speech midway

Footage of the incident, shared by Doordarshan, shows Modi halting his speech around the 4:30-to-5-minute mark.

The Hindi arm of The Indian Express was the first to report that Modi appeared to have noticed Xi looking uncomfortable before interrupting his remarks.

The brief moment quickly drew attention because of the formal setting and the presence of leaders from the expanded BRICS grouping.

Modi, Xi hold first India meeting in seven years

The moment came ahead of a closely watched bilateral meeting between Modi and Xi on the sidelines of the summit.

The two leaders later held talks, marking Xi's first visit to India since 2019 and their first meeting on Indian soil in seven years.

According to the Ministry of External Affairs, Modi and Xi agreed that India-China ties should be viewed from a “strategic and long-term perspective.”

Modi stressed that “differences should not become disputes”, while calling for the relationship to be guided by mutual respect, mutual sensitivity and mutual interest.

Border peace, trade and bilateral ties discussed

The Prime Minister also underlined the importance of peace and tranquillity in the border areas for the continued development of India-China relations.

He called for the two sides to adhere to existing agreements and understandings concerning the border.

The MEA said both leaders expressed their commitment to pursuing a fair, reasonable and mutually acceptable resolution of the boundary question, taking into account the broader political relationship and the long-term interests of both countries.

Xi, meanwhile, said China and India should approach their relationship from a strategic perspective while keeping the long-term development of bilateral ties in mind.

The meeting comes as New Delhi and Beijing seek to stabilise ties following years of tensions along the Line of Actual Control.