China’s Foreign Minister to Skip BRICS Delhi Meet Over ‘Scheduling Reasons’

China has confirmed that Foreign Minister Wang Yi will not attend the BRICS Foreign Ministers’ Meeting scheduled in New Delhi, citing scheduling reasons amid overlapping international diplomatic engagements.

The Chinese Foreign Ministry said Ambassador Xi Feihong will represent Beijing at the two-day meeting on May 14–15 under India’s BRICS Presidency . China reiterated its support for India’s leadership and expressed readiness to advance Greater BRICS cooperation and strengthen the grouping’s strategic partnership among emerging economies.

Reports indicate Wang Yi’s absence coincides with heightened diplomatic activity, including preparations surrounding US President Donald Trump’s engagements in China , contributing to the scheduling conflict.

Despite the absence, China stressed that it remains committed to constructive participation in BRICS and supports efforts to maintain unity among member states. The bloc now includes expanded members such as Iran, Egypt, Ethiopia, Indonesia and the UAE alongside founding nations.

The New Delhi meeting is expected to be heavily shaped by escalating West Asia tensions , particularly the ongoing Iran-related conflict, energy security concerns, and internal divisions within BRICS between Iran and the UAE over regional developments.

Foreign ministers including Russia’s Sergei Lavrov and Iran’s Abbas Araghchi are expected to attend in person, while China’s lower-level representation reflects a calibrated diplomatic approach rather than disengagement.

Indian officials have indicated that achieving a joint statement may be challenging due to diverging positions among members on the Middle East crisis, even as the bloc seeks to project unity on global economic governance.