Chinese President Xi Jinping is expected to visit India for the 18th BRICS Summit, scheduled to be held in New Delhi on September 12–13, in what could become an important moment for India-China relations.
The expected visit would be Xi's first trip to India since 2019, before bilateral relations deteriorated sharply following the deadly 2020 border clashes in eastern Ladakh. The upcoming BRICS meeting could provide Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Xi with an opportunity to continue efforts aimed at stabilising bilateral ties.
Editorial Insight
Key Highlights
Important points readers should notice.
Issue/Event: Expected Xi Jinping visit and possible Modi-Xi engagement
Location: New Delhi, India
Authority/Organisation: Government of India / Government of China / BRICS
Action Taken: Diplomatic and military-level engagement between India and China has increased
Impact: Could provide another opportunity to stabilise bilateral relations while major differences remain
India and China have gradually resumed engagement after years of heightened tensions. Recent developments have included renewed diplomatic contact, progress on border-management mechanisms and efforts to restore economic and people-to-people links.
The two countries also held their first senior military commander-level flag meetings in the Arunachal Pradesh sector earlier this week, signalling an effort to strengthen communication along the Line of Actual Control. The talks took place on September 6 and 7 at border meeting points in Arunachal Pradesh.
The expected Xi visit comes against this backdrop of cautious rapprochement. However, major differences remain between the two countries, particularly over the unresolved boundary dispute and strategic competition.
Editorial Analysis
Why This Matters
A direct Modi-Xi engagement in New Delhi would be closely watched because it comes after years of strained relations following the 2020 border clashes. Any progress on maintaining border stability could have wider implications for trade, investment and regional diplomacy. At the same time, the meeting would not by itself resolve the longstanding boundary dispute.
For New Delhi, the focus is likely to remain on maintaining peace and stability along the border while protecting India's strategic and economic interests.
For Beijing, improved relations with India could help reduce tensions with one of Asia's major powers at a time when China's wider geopolitical environment remains complicated by competition with the United States and shifting global alliances.
The BRICS Summit will therefore carry significance beyond the group's economic and multilateral agenda, with a possible Modi-Xi interaction likely to attract considerable international attention.
