Chinese President Xi Jinping is arriving in India today, Saturday, to attend the 18th BRICS Summit in New Delhi. This will mark his first visit to India in nearly seven years.
A bilateral meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Xi Jinping is also scheduled to take place. China’s Foreign Ministry announced Xi’s participation on Thursday, confirming that the Chinese President would attend the two-day summit at Prime Minister Modi’s invitation. In a social media post, the ministry announced, “At the invitation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi of the Republic of India, President Xi Jinping will attend the 18th BRICS Summit in New Delhi from September 12 to 13.”
Xi’s visit comes at a time when India and China are striving to stabilize their bilateral relations following the deadly Galwan clashes of 2020. India has repeatedly emphasized that maintaining peace and stability in border areas is a key prerequisite for the continued development and progress of bilateral ties.
PM Modi and Xi had a brief interaction during the recent Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit in Bishkek. Expectations are now high that the two leaders will hold detailed bilateral talks during the BRICS summit in New Delhi this weekend.
Meanwhile, China’s Ambassador to India, Xu Feihong, stated that Beijing and New Delhi are preparing for a bilateral meeting between Xi and PM Modi. He indicated that China would work closely with India to implement the strategic guidance provided by both leaders.
On Friday, Ambassador Feihong said on the social media platform ‘X’, “China and India are arranging a bilateral meeting between President Xi and Prime Minister Modi. Following meetings in Kazan (Russia) and Tianjin (China), this will mark the third consecutive year that the two leaders meet.” The Chinese Ambassador further stated, “China will work with India to implement the strategic guidance provided by both leaders, manage bilateral relations from a strategic and long-term perspective, enhance dialogue, strengthen cooperation, properly resolve differences, and uphold a friendship characterized by good-neighborliness and mutual support for each other’s success.”
Xi’s participation in the BRICS Summit is expected to provide an opportunity for both sides to discuss the broad trajectory of India-China relations, including the importance of sustained dialogue and the management of differences.
The BRICS Summit will be attended by leaders from member and partner nations, as well as invitees for the outreach segment. Discussions are expected to focus on strengthening cooperation within the group and exchanging views on global and regional issues of mutual importance.
