BRICS 2026: Did PM Narendra Modi gift his own portrait to Chinese President Xi Jinping? Center verifies virus claim | Today’s news
The BRICS 2026 summit is currently underway in New Delhi with the participation of several world leaders. Amid several flashes of the global event online, one caught the attention of netizens claiming that Prime Minister Narendra Modi might have gifted his own portrait to Chinese President Xi Jinping.
Xi Jinping arrived in India on Saturday. His participation in the BRICS summit in New Delhi is above all exceptional. It is his first visit to India in seven years, suggesting a major diplomatic thaw after the 2020 clash in Ladakh’s Galwan Valley.
Viral photo of PM Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping
A photograph of PM Modi and President Xi Jinping has now gone viral. It shows the Prime Minister and the Chinese leader holding a portrait of the former.
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A viral claim suggested that PM Modi gifted his portrait to Chinese President Xi Jinping during the BRICS summit in 2026. However, this turned out to be false as the picture dates back to 2019 from the Mahabalipuram summit.
Xi’s attendance is significant as it is his first visit to India in seven years, hinting at a potential diplomatic thaw after previous clashes between India and China.
The Press Information Office has clarified that porcelain souvenirs bearing PM Modi’s likeness were actually gifted to him by Xi Jinping during the 2019 Mahabalipuram summit, refuting claims that Modi gifted Xi a portrait.
PM Modi proposed a 10-point plan to reform global governance, advocating a shift from a “pyramid of privilege” to a “platform of partnership” where all nations have a voice and a stake.
Yes, PM Modi emphasized that the Global South should transform itself from a rule taker to a “rule maker” and actively participate in global policy making and governance.
Sharing the picture, a user on X wrote: “Modi gives Xi Jinping his own portrait. (crying emoji) Self-love level: PMO Edition.”
Fact check
However, the picture turned out to be from 2019. It is from 2019 at the Mahabalipuram summit where PM Modi and President Xi Jinping exchanged gifts.
The Chinese President presented PM Modi with a porcelain memento with his photograph.
Explaining the same, the official X handler of the Press Information Bureau’s Fact Check wing wrote, “A video is being shared online claiming that PM @narendramodi gifted his portrait to Chinese President #XiJinping #PIBFactCheck.”
“Claim is #FAKE. Porcelain souvenirs with portrait of PM Narendra Modi gifted by Chinese President Xi Jinping to PM Narendra Modi at #Mamallapuram on 12 October 2019,” it added.
Latest updates from BRICS 2026
Meanwhile, Saturday’s BRICS 2026 agenda includes closed-door sessions on global governance and multilateralism. A number of bilateral meetings are also planned, including a meeting with President Xi Jinping.
Read also | BRICS: Xi in India after 7 years, bilateral with Modi in the evening
According to news agency PTI, the day will end with a gala dinner hosted by Modi that will feature a “BRICS Symphony” with about 160 performers, mostly Indian dancers and musicians, along with artists from other BRICS countries.
Watch live updates of BRICS Summit 2026 here
Participants include Russian President Vladimir Putin, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto, Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi.
The summit has added significance as it comes amid the global impact on the economy from the Russia-Ukraine war, conflict in West Asia, particularly the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, and Trump’s trade and tariff issues.
“The current structure of global governance resembles a pyramid: power and decision-making are concentrated at the top, while the lower levels consist of nations that are affected by these decisions but unable to shape them,” Modi said.
“Today, the Global South is at the forefront of global crises, but at the back of decision-making. We must transform this ‘Pyramid of Privileges’ into a ‘Partnership Platform’ – one where every nation has a voice, every member has a stake, and human development is at the heart of every effort,” he added.
PM Modi also unveiled a 10-point plan to reform global governance within BRICS and advocated the creation of a “Seafarers’ Emergency Support Network” to protect seafarers from risks in ongoing global and regional crises.
