Xi Jinping to visit India for BRICS summit amid thawing ties
Chinese President Xi Jinping is set to visit India for the 18th BRICS Summit in New Delhi, marking his first trip in seven years as the two nations work to stabilize relations.
Chinese President Xi Jinping is set to visit India for the 18th BRICS Summit starting on September 12, 2026, marking his first trip to the country in seven years. Hosted at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi during India's rotating chairship, the high-profile gathering brings together leaders from an expanded 11-member bloc as New Delhi and Beijing work to stabilize ties following years of military tension, according to PGurus.
Relations between the two Asian giants plunged into a deep freeze following deadly border clashes in the Galwan Valley in 2020, as reported by CNBC. Although disengagement and patrolling have resumed along parts of the border, Jawaharlal Nehru University professor Srikanth Kondapalli noted in an interview with Awazthevoice that de-escalation and de-induction remain incomplete. According to Kondapalli, both sides continue to maintain offensive weapon systems such as drones, tanks, and multiple rocket launchers in high-altitude border areas.
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Despite these military hurdles, diplomatic channels have remained active through the Special Representatives' talks, military commander-level meetings, and consultations between Indian National Security Advisor Ajit Doval and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, per PGurus. These efforts have yielded a cautious economic and political thaw, paving the way for Xi's arrival with a delegation of approximately 400 officials, more than double the size of his 2019 delegation, according to reporting cited by CNBC.
| Metric / Factor | Previous Status | Current Status / Data |
|---|---|---|
| Xi Jinping's India Visits | Last visited in 2019 | Arriving September 2026 for first visit in 7 years |
| BRICS Membership | Original 5-member grouping | Expanded to 11 member countries |
| Total Bilateral Trade | Prior years below peak | Record $151.1 billion (or ~$155 billion per alternative sources) |
| India's Trade Deficit | Historical levels | Record $112.16 billion (up from $99.21 billion) |
| India's Chairship Rotation | Previous years: 2012, 2016, 2021 | Fourth chairship in 2026 |
Economic discussions are expected to dominate the bilateral agenda alongside regional security. Total trade between India and China reached record highs in the year ending March 2026, yet New Delhi's trade deficit with Beijing expanded concurrently, notes CNBC. Analysts point out that India remains heavily dependent on Chinese manufacturing inputs, including batteries for green energy infrastructure and electronic components, while tighter regulations and investment guardrails continue to shape foreign direct investment from Beijing.
The multilateral summit itself operates under India's theme "Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability," according to The Sunday Guardian. The visual identity of the event features a lotus with a "Namaste" motif at its centre, selected through a public contest to symbolize inclusivity and diversity among the expanded membership. Alongside China and India, the 11-member bloc incorporates Brazil, Egypt, Ethiopia, Indonesia, Iran, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, and the United Arab Emirates.
Geopolitical fissures threaten to complicate the proceedings. The ongoing conflict involving Iran and disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz have placed energy security and regional stability under intense pressure, creating sharp divisions among member states, reports The Sunday Guardian.
As world leaders gather at Bharat Mandapam for formal sessions, closed-door discussions, and a gala dinner through September 13, 2026, attention will remain fixed on whether Modi and Xi can transform a cautious diplomatic thaw into lasting structural stability, as highlighted by Oneworldnews.
