Xi Jinping May Visit India for BRICS Summit After Seven Years
Chinese President Xi Jinping is expected to attend next month’s BRICS summit in New Delhi, which could mark his first visit to India in seven years and signal further efforts to improve relations between the two countries.
India is scheduled to host the BRICS summit on September 12 and 13. Xi’s potential attendance is being closely watched because of the ongoing efforts by Beijing and New Delhi to stabilize their relationship.
According to three Indian sources cited by Reuters, Chinese officials are preparing arrangements including hotels and security protocols for a possible visit.
Large Chinese Delegation Expected
Two Indian sources said Xi could travel with a delegation of around 400 officials.
That would be significantly larger than the delegation China sent to India in 2019, which reportedly included fewer than 200 officials.
The final details of Xi’s travel plans and schedule, including the possibility of a bilateral meeting with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, have not yet been confirmed.
China Yet to Confirm Xi’s Visit
The Chinese foreign ministry said Beijing attaches importance to BRICS cooperation and supports India in successfully hosting the summit.
However, the ministry said it currently had no information to provide regarding Xi’s possible visit.
India’s foreign ministry has also not publicly confirmed the Chinese president’s travel plans.
Xi did not attend the previous BRICS summit held in Brazil in 2025.
India-China Relations in Focus
Xi’s potential visit comes as India and China continue efforts to manage differences following tensions along their disputed Himalayan border.
The two countries share a roughly 3,800-kilometre border, much of which remains disputed and undemarcated.
Relations deteriorated significantly after clashes in 2020, in which soldiers from both sides were killed. The two countries later reached a disengagement agreement in October 2024.
Despite progress, border-related concerns remain an important issue in India-China relations.
Talks on Border Issues Continue
India’s National Security Adviser Ajit Doval has also travelled to Beijing for discussions with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi regarding the boundary issue.
Both countries are seeking to improve engagement while continuing to manage differences over the border and regional security.
If confirmed, Xi’s visit to New Delhi would provide an important opportunity for the two sides to discuss their relationship on the sidelines of the BRICS summit.
