China confirmed on Tuesday that Foreign Minister Wang Yi would not be participating in the meeting of BRICS Foreign Ministers in New Delhi due to “scheduling reasons”. The meeting is scheduled for May 14-15, which is in conflict with U.S President Donald Trump’s visit to the communist nation. According to the Chinese Foreign Ministry, Wang would be in Beijing for Trump’s visit and China would not be sending any other high-ranking official to the meeting. Trump is set to arrive in Beijing on Wednesday. Chinese Ambassador to India Xu Feihong would be representing Beijing at the meeting.
The Foreign Ministry issued a statement, “Due to scheduling reasons, Chinese Ambassador to India Xu Feihong will represent Foreign Minister Wang Yi at this Foreign Ministers’ Meeting.”
It further added, “BRICS is an important platform for cooperation among emerging markets and developing countries. China attaches great importance to and actively participates in BRICS cooperation, is always committed to deepening the BRICS strategic partnership, and consolidating the positive momentum of unity and cooperation among BRICS countries. We stand ready to work with all BRICS members to support India, as the Chair, in successfully hosting the BRICS Foreign Ministers’ Meeting and promoting the high-quality development of ‘BRICS Plus’ cooperation.”
Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi is scheduled to arrive in New Delhi on Wednesday and will meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday in a joint call, along with BRICS Ministers from Brazil, Russia, South Africa, Egypt, Ethiopia, and Indonesia. The meeting comes a week after India condemned Iran for striking an oil facility in the United Arab Emirates, injuring three Indians.
New Delhi had hosted a meeting of Deputy Foreign Ministers and Special Envoys of BRICS nations last month. However, it ended without a joint statement as delegates from the UAE and Iran clashed over the ongoing conflict in West Asia.
