PIB clarifies viral BRICS gift photo is 2019 Mahabalipuram image
There's a photo making the rounds claiming Prime Minister Modi gave President Xi a portrait of himself at the BRICS 2026 summit, but that's not what happened.
The Press Information Bureau stepped in and clarified on X (formerly Twitter) that the image is actually from the 2019 Mahabalipuram summit, where Xi gifted Modi a porcelain memento with PM Modi's portrait.
So, no dramatic gifting moment this year: just an old photo getting recycled.
Modi urges governance reforms at BRICS
Xi's visit to India is his first since tensions after the Galwan Valley clash in 2020.
At this summit, Modi pushed for global governance reforms, calling for more equal representation among countries and moving away from "pyramid of privilege" to "platform of partnership."
The event also is scheduled to hold a series of bilateral meetings and a cultural gala hosted by Modi.