BRICS 2026: Did PM Narendra Modi gift his own portrait to China’s President Xi Jinping? Centre fact-checks viral claim

BRICS 2026: Centre Debunks Viral Modi-Xi Portrait Claim

Theindiapostdaily.com – During BRICS 2026 in New Delhi, an old photograph of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping holding a porcelain portrait circulated online with a misleading claim. Posts alleged that Modi had gifted Xi a portrait of himself during the summit.

The claim is false, according to the Press Information Bureau’s Fact Check unit. The image is unrelated to the current BRICS 2026 meeting and was taken during Xi’s visit to Mamallapuram, Tamil Nadu, in 2019.

What the Viral Photograph Actually Shows

The photograph dates to 12 October 2019, when Modi and Xi met in Mamallapuram, also known as Mahabalipuram. It shows the leaders with a porcelain memento featuring Modi’s likeness during an exchange of gifts.

Contrary to the viral narrative, the memento was presented by Xi to Modi. It was not a self-portrait gifted by the Indian prime minister to the Chinese president.

The porcelain memento featuring PM Narendra Modi’s image was gifted by Chinese President Xi Jinping to PM Narendra Modi in Mamallapuram on 12 October 2019.

The fact-check highlights how images from earlier diplomatic engagements can be recirculated during major events without their original context. In this case, the timing of the posts led some users to wrongly connect the 2019 image with the BRICS gathering in New Delhi.

Xi’s India Visit Draws Attention at BRICS 2026

Xi arrived in India on Saturday for the summit, marking his first visit to the country in seven years. His trip comes after years of strain in India-China relations following the 2020 Galwan Valley clash in Ladakh.

Alongside the multilateral programme, the visit includes bilateral engagements, including a meeting between Modi and Xi. The summit agenda also includes a closed-door discussion on global governance and multilateralism, followed by a gala dinner hosted by Modi.

The evening programme includes a “BRICS Symphony” featuring around 160 artists. Most of the performers are Indian dancers and musicians, with participation from artists representing other BRICS nations.

Global Governance Takes Centre Stage

Leaders attending the meeting 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.

Discussions are taking place amid economic and geopolitical uncertainty linked to the Russia-Ukraine war, conflict in West Asia, concerns over the Strait of Hormuz, and trade and tariff policies associated with former US President Donald Trump.

BRICS members have consistently called for greater representation of developing and emerging economies in international decision-making. The summit gives member countries an opportunity to discuss these concerns collectively while holding bilateral meetings on national priorities.

Modi Calls for a More Representative Global Order

Addressing the summit, Modi said the current global system concentrates power and decision-making among a limited number of countries, leaving many nations affected by major decisions without adequate influence.

The current structure of global governance resembles a pyramid: power and decision-making are concentrated at the top, while the lower tiers consist of nations that are affected by these decisions but unable to shape them.

He said countries in the Global South often face the effects of international crises first but remain underrepresented in forums where key decisions are taken.

Today, the Global South stands in the front row of global crises but in the back row of decision-making. We must transform this “pyramid of privilege” into a “platform of partnership” — one where every nation has a voice, every member has a stake, and the development of humanity lies at the heart of every effort.

Modi also announced a 10-point roadmap for reforming global governance within the BRICS framework. He further called for a “Seafarers’ Emergency Support Network” to help protect sailors facing risks during international and regional crises.

FAQ: BRICS 2026 Viral Modi-Xi Image

Did Narendra Modi gift Xi Jinping his own portrait?

No. The porcelain portrait was gifted by Xi Jinping to Narendra Modi during their Mamallapuram meeting on 12 October 2019.

Was the viral image taken during the BRICS summit in New Delhi?

No. The image is from 2019 and is not connected to the current BRICS 2026 summit.

Why is Xi Jinping’s visit to India significant?

The visit is Xi’s first trip to India in seven years and comes after a prolonged period of tension between India and China following the 2020 Galwan Valley clash.