Reports that Xi Jinping skipped a BRICS (group of major emerging economies) summit dinner in New Delhi because he felt unwell have renewed speculation about the Chinese president’s health ahead of his planned Sept. 24 summit with U.S. President Donald Trump. Xi missed the Sept. 12 dinner after initially accepting Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s invitation, while Foreign Minister Wang Yi attended in his place. Chinese authorities gave no official explanation. Unverified claims that Xi had suffered a stroke or died also circulated online, but Xinhua later reported that he attended and addressed the second phase of the BRICS Summit on Sept. 13. Analysts say China’s secrecy around senior leaders’ health and the absence of an officially designated successor have magnified the political sensitivity. Preparations for the White House summit continued on Sept. 20, when U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng discussed an agenda including trade, artificial intelligence (AI) and critical minerals. Xi’s ability to complete the planned itinerary is expected to provide the clearest indication yet of the situation surrounding his health.