At the invitation of PM Narendra Modi, President Xi Jinping will visit New Delhi from September 12-13 for the 18th BRICS Summit. This marks a pivotal diplomatic shift as both leaders meet formally for the first time since the 2020 Galwan clash.

  • President Xi Jinping will participate in the 18th BRICS Summit in New Delhi on September 12-13.
  • This visit ends a seven-year hiatus of the Chinese President visiting Indian soil.
  • The meeting is seen as a critical step toward normalizing ties after the 2020 Galwan Valley conflict.
  • Confirmed attendees include Russian President Vladimir Putin and Iranian President Pezeshkian.

The Chinese Foreign Ministry has officially announced that President Xi Jinping will travel to India following an invitation from Prime Minister Narendra Modi. This visit is timed as the 18th BRICS Summit takes place in the capital, signaling a potential thaw in the frosty relations between the two Asian giants.

Historical Context and Diplomatic Friction

President Xi's last visit to India was in 2019, where he attended an informal summit in Mamallapuram, Tamil Nadu. However, the trajectory of bilateral relations plummeted following the deadly skirmishes in the Galwan Valley in 2020. Since then, while military commanders have held numerous rounds of talks to disengage troops, a formal high-level diplomatic meeting had remained elusive.

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Why This Matters

BozokMedia analysis shows that this visit is more than just a multilateral obligation. For China, stabilizing relations with India is essential to manage its periphery while dealing with tensions with the US. For India, it is an opportunity to reiterate its stance on territorial integrity while maintaining economic engagement. The global community will be watching to see if a formal bilateral agreement is reached on the sidelines of the summit.

"Xi Jinping's return to India is a strategic signal that both nations are exhausted by the stalemate and are seeking a pragmatic 'modus vivendi' to coexist."

Global Agenda and the BRICS Framework

The summit, scheduled from September 11 to 13, comes at a time of extreme global volatility. With the ongoing conflicts in West Asia and the Russia-Ukraine war, the BRICS bloc aims to position itself as a voice for the 'Global South'. Key discussions are expected to revolve around global economy, trade, energy security, and the reform of multilateral institutions like the UN.

Visit Year Location/Occasion Primary Objective
2014 New Delhi First official visit and comprehensive talks
2016 Goa BRICS Summit participation
2019 Mamallapuram Informal Summit meeting
2026 New Delhi 18th BRICS Summit

The summit is expected to address the role of developing nations in the international order, emphasizing a shift away from Western-centric global governance.

Did You Know?: BRICS was originally formed as a grouping of five major emerging economies—Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa—to challenge the hegemony of the G7 and promote a multipolar world.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1: When was the last time Xi Jinping visited India?
A: President Xi Jinping last visited India in 2019 for an informal summit held in Mamallapuram, Tamil Nadu.

Q2: Which other world leaders are confirmed for the BRICS Summit?
A: Russian President Vladimir Putin and Iranian President Pezeshkian have already confirmed their attendance.