NEW DELHI: Chinese President Xi Jinping skipped a gala dinner hosted by Prime Minister Narendra Modi for Brics leaders and other dignitaries on Saturday, after attending the first day of the summit and holding a bilateral meeting with PM Modi.Sources aware of the matter told news agency PTI that Xi was absent from the dinner at Bharat Mandapam, where Russian President Vladimir Putin and other Brics leaders were present. The reason for the Chinese president's absence was not immediately known, although one source told PTI that Xi had returned to his hotel to take rest.

Xi arrived in New Delhi on Saturday afternoon and attended the Brics Summit before meeting PM Modi for bilateral talks.

His absence from the dinner was notable given the high-profile gathering hosted by the Indian prime minister on the opening day of the two-day summit.Abu Dhabi crown prince Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed, who left for home after attending the Brics Summit during the day, was also absent from the dinner.

The dinner brought together several Union ministers, chief ministers and other senior dignitaries. Union ministers Amit Shah, Nirmala Sitharaman, Piyush Goyal, Ashwini Vaishnaw and Shivraj Singh Chouhan attended, along with Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla and chief ministers including Yogi Adityanath, Devendra Fadnavis, Suvendu Adhikari and Himanta Biswa Sarma.

The VVIP dinner featured an elaborate vegetarian menu showcasing Indian cuisine. Starters included 'khandvi mille' and 'khumb galouti', while the main course featured 'paneer lababdar', 'gucchi marmik', 'carrot-bean poriyal' and 'millet pulao'.Desserts included 'Old Delhi fruit cream with jalebi' and 'shahtoot phirni'. The dinner was accompanied by a performance by an ensemble of more than 100 artistes drawn largely from India and other Brics member countries.India is hosting the Brics Summit on September 12-13, with leaders of the 11 member countries and 10 partner countries, besides representatives of international organisations, attending the event.