Chinese President Xi Jinping will travel to New Delhi to attend the 18th BRICS Summit from Sept 12 to 13, marking his first visit to India in seven years and adding significance to a gathering taking place amid major geopolitical and economic strains.
China’s Foreign Ministry confirmed on Thursday that Xi will attend the summit at the invitation of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
The visit comes as Beijing and New Delhi seek to stabilise relations following years of tensions, particularly after the deadly border clashes between their troops in 2020. Relations have shown signs of a gradual thaw, although differences over their disputed Himalayan border, trade and investment continue to complicate ties.
Xi’s presence also creates an opportunity for further high-level engagement with Modi. The two leaders are expected to meet on the sidelines of the summit, with economic cooperation and efforts to stabilise China-India relations among the issues likely to feature prominently.
The New Delhi trip will be Xi’s first visit to India since 2019, highlighting the diplomatic importance of the summit for Asia’s two largest economies.
India, which assumed the BRICS chairmanship on Jan 1, is hosting the summit at Bharat Mandapam under the theme “Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability.” The gathering will bring together leaders of BRICS member and partner countries as well as outreach invitees.
