BRICS: Chinese President Xi Jinping arrives in India; set to hold talks with PM Modi
Chinese President Xi Jinping arrived in New Delhi on Saturday to attend the 18th BRICS Summit and is scheduled to hold talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the sidelines of the summit.
Xi left Beijing earlier in the day at Modi's invitation, according to China's state-run Xinhua news agency. His delegation includes Cai Qi, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) and director of the CPC Central Committee's General Office, and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi.
Xi's first India visit in nearly seven years
The visit is Xi's first trip to India in nearly seven years. His last visit was in October 2019, when he met Modi for an informal summit in Mamallapuram near Chennai.
China's Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said the upcoming Modi-Xi meeting would be the third consecutive year in which the two leaders have met, following their meetings in Kazan and Tianjin.
Mao said China would work with India to implement the strategic guidance of the two leaders, strengthen communication and cooperation, properly manage differences and promote stable bilateral ties.
Modi-Xi talks closely watched
The meeting comes as India and China seek to normalise relations following a prolonged downturn after the 2020 Eastern Ladakh standoff.
Ahead of Xi's visit, National Security Advisor Ajit Doval and Wang Yi held extensive talks in Beijing last month on the boundary issue, maintaining peace and tranquillity along the border and improving bilateral relations.
During the 25th round of Special Representatives' talks in Beijing on August 25, the two sides reached an eight-point consensus. They agreed to advance discussions towards an early and substantial resolution of boundary delimitation and border management issues.
Against this backdrop, the Modi-Xi meeting is expected to be closely watched for indications of the future direction of India-China relations.
Also read | PM Modi, Pezeshkian meet in Delhi amid West Asia tensions, reaffirm bilateral cooperation
Xi to address BRICS Summit
Mao described BRICS as an important platform for solidarity and cooperation among emerging markets and developing countries.
Xi is expected to address the summit and hold discussions with other leaders on the international situation, the development of BRICS mechanisms and ways to deepen practical cooperation.
He is also expected to put forward China's initiatives and proposals for expanding BRICS cooperation.
The New Delhi summit is taking place against the backdrop of the Iran-US conflict and the Russia-Ukraine war.
Mao said China supports a common, comprehensive, cooperative and sustainable approach to security and favours resolving regional conflicts through dialogue and negotiation.
She said China would work with BRICS countries to promote talks, resolve differences and safeguard regional and global peace and stability.
India hosts 18th BRICS Summit
India, the current chair of BRICS, is hosting the 18th summit in New Delhi on September 12 and 13.
BRICS originally comprised Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa. The grouping expanded in 2024 with the inclusion of Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, the UAE and Saudi Arabia, followed by Indonesia in 2025.
Belarus, Bolivia, Kazakhstan, Cuba, Malaysia, Nigeria, Thailand, Uganda, Uzbekistan and Vietnam became partner countries last year.
Also read | ‘Over 40 percent of world's GDP produced by BRICS countries’: Putin takes potshots at G-7
China to take over BRICS chair
India is a founding member of BRICS and has previously held the chairship in 2012, 2016 and 2021. It assumed its fourth chairmanship on January 1, 2026.
This year also marks 20 years since the establishment of BRICS.
Following the New Delhi summit, China will take over the grouping's rotating chairmanship.
PTI