Chinese President Xi Jinping’s arrival in New Delhi for the 18th BRICS Summit marks his first visit to India in seven years, with his expected engagement with Prime Minister Narendra Modi emerging as one of the most closely watched developments of the summit.
NEW DELHI: Chinese President Xi Jinping arrived in New Delhi on Saturday to participate in the 18th BRICS Summit being hosted by India, bringing renewed international focus to India-China relations and the future direction of cooperation within the expanded BRICS grouping.
Xi’s arrival marks his return to India after a gap of seven years and comes at a significant moment for bilateral relations. His visit is taking place against the backdrop of efforts by New Delhi and Beijing to maintain dialogue, reduce tensions and gradually rebuild confidence following years of strained ties.
The Chinese President is expected to hold talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his stay in the Indian capital. The proposed interaction between the two leaders is likely to attract considerable attention because of the strategic importance of India-China relations for Asia and the wider international order.
BRICS platform gives India and China another channel for dialogue
Xi’s presence at the summit adds political significance to India’s BRICS presidency. The grouping has expanded considerably in recent years and has increasingly emerged as an important platform for cooperation among major emerging economies.
The New Delhi summit is expected to address a broad range of issues, including economic cooperation, trade, investment, development, technology, energy, food security and reforms in global institutions.
India is seeking to use its BRICS presidency to strengthen cooperation among developing and emerging economies while highlighting the concerns and priorities of the Global South.
China, meanwhile, remains one of the most influential members of the grouping, making Xi’s participation important for discussions on the future role and direction of BRICS.
India-China relations remain a key focus
Xi Jinping Lands in India After Seven Years for BRICS Summit
The Modi-Xi engagement is expected to be watched closely for indications about the next phase of India-China relations.
The relationship suffered a major setback after the 2020 military confrontation along the Line of Actual Control. Since then, both sides have maintained diplomatic and military-level communication while working to address outstanding border-related concerns.
Recent efforts to improve communication have created space for renewed engagement, although significant differences remain between the two countries.
For New Delhi, maintaining peace and stability along the border remains fundamental to the broader relationship. At the same time, India and China have extensive economic ties and are major players in regional and global institutions.
Any progress in political dialogue between Modi and Xi could therefore have implications extending beyond bilateral relations.
Strategic importance beyond the summit
Xi’s visit comes at a time when the international system is undergoing significant geopolitical and economic changes.
India has continued to maintain strategic engagement with multiple major powers while pursuing what it describes as an independent and balanced foreign-policy approach. China remains an important neighbour and a major global economic power.
Against this background, the BRICS summit provides an opportunity for both countries to engage within a multilateral framework even as bilateral differences continue to require careful management.
The presence of several major leaders in New Delhi also gives India an opportunity to advance discussions on reform of global governance institutions and greater representation for developing economies.
What to watch from Modi-Xi talks
The key focus will be whether the Modi-Xi interaction produces any fresh political signals on bilateral relations, economic engagement and regional stability.
While expectations of major breakthroughs remain measured, direct communication between the two leaders could help maintain the momentum of diplomatic engagement.
Xi’s return to India after seven years has therefore become one of the defining moments of the 18th BRICS Summit.
For New Delhi, the immediate priority will be to ensure that the summit delivers stronger cooperation among BRICS members while carefully managing its relationship with Beijing.
For Beijing, Xi’s participation provides an opportunity to engage India at the highest political level and reinforce China’s role in the evolving BRICS framework.
The outcome of the Modi-Xi engagement, along with the broader decisions emerging from the summit, is expected to be closely watched across Asia and beyond.
Global Times News | INDIA ; GTNS
SEPTEMBER 12, 2026