Xi Jinping to visit India after seven years; meeting with Modi proposed on the sidelines of the BRICS summit.
New Delhi. Chinese President Xi Jinping will arrive in India on Saturday. He will participate in the 18th BRICS Summit scheduled to be held in New Delhi on September 12 and 13. His visit to India—taking place after a gap of nearly seven years—is considered significant for both bilateral relations and global diplomacy. A bilateral meeting between the two leaders is also proposed during this visit, which is taking place at the invitation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has confirmed President Xi Jinping’s visit to India and his participation in the BRICS summit. Xi’s previous visit to India took place in October 2019, when he held an informal summit with Prime Minister Modi in Mamallapuram, Tamil Nadu. Subsequently, relations between India and China witnessed several ups and downs. Against this backdrop, his arrival in New Delhi after nearly seven years is viewed as a significant step towards high-level dialogue between the two nations.
India holds the BRICS presidency this year. At the summit in New Delhi, heads of state and government from member nations will discuss the global economy, trade, security, reforms in multilateral institutions, and the concerns of developing nations. The summit has gained heightened political and economic importance due to the participation of new countries in the expanded BRICS grouping.
All eyes will be on the potential bilateral meeting between Prime Minister Modi and President Xi. Full details regarding the formal schedule and agenda of the meeting have not yet been made public. It is believed that the two leaders may discuss issues such as peace along the border, economic relations, trade imbalances, investment, visas, and enhancing people-to-people ties.
Relations between India and China had become strained due to a prolonged military standoff in Eastern Ladakh. Several rounds of talks were held between military and diplomatic officials of both countries to manage the border situation and build trust. The proposed meeting between Modi and Xi is likely to include a review of recent progress regarding border management.
The border dispute remains the most sensitive issue in India-China relations. India has consistently maintained that peace and stability in border areas are essential for normal bilateral relations. Should a dialogue take place between the two leaders, efforts could be made to reach a consensus on advancing future military and diplomatic communication.
Trade and economic cooperation are also likely to be key topics of discussion. While the volume of trade between India and China is substantial, the trade deficit and the limited access Indian products have to the Chinese market have long been concerns. Issues such as market access for Indian companies, investment regulations, business visas, and the supply of industrial equipment may also come up for discussion.
Both sides are also considering a new process for strategic economic dialogue. This could aim to address issues like the trade deficit, market access, investment, and trade restrictions in a systematic manner. However, the extent of progress made on economic cooperation will only become clear from the official statement issued after the bilateral meeting.
Beyond border issues and bilateral trade, the BRICS summit will also address several global matters. Member nations are expected to discuss the ongoing conflict in West Asia, the Russia-Ukraine war, energy security, mounting pressures on international trade, and the politics of sanctions. Since the interests of the expanded group’s members diverge on various issues, reaching a consensus on a joint declaration will be a significant test for the summit.
Under India’s presidency, discussions may also take place on facilitating trade and cross-border payments in local currencies. India is working on a proposal to make international payments faster and easier by linking central bank digital currencies, although technical and political challenges remain in this regard.
Extensive security arrangements have been put in place in Delhi due to the presence of Russian President Vladimir Putin and other key global leaders alongside Xi Jinping. Security has been stepped up at the summit venue, hotels hosting foreign delegates, travel routes, and the diplomatic enclave of Chanakyapuri. Chinese security officials have reviewed the necessary preparations in coordination with Indian agencies.
The BRICS summit is being presented as a platform to strengthen the voice of developing and emerging economies. India aims to foster cooperation among member nations while steering the organization toward a practical and development-oriented path. Issues such as the concerns of the Global South, climate finance, technological cooperation, and enhanced representation in international institutions may also feature in the discussions.
India and China are major global economies and neighbors; cooperation between them impacts not only Asia but also the global economy and political landscape. However, mistrust persists in their relationship due to border disputes and strategic rivalry. Consequently, a potential meeting between Modi and Xi is expected to yield gradual progress toward dialogue and stability rather than a major breakthrough.
Xi Jinping’s visit to India—taking place after seven years—coincides with a rapidly evolving international order. Ongoing conflicts in various regions, the energy crisis, trade tensions, and shifting global alliances pose significant challenges for BRICS. During the summit, China’s role…