Xi Jinping Arrives in Delhi for BRICS Summit, Meets Modi

Chinese President Xi Jinping arrived in New Delhi on Saturday, September 12, 2026, to attend the 18th BRICS Summit, marking a significant diplomatic event. This visit is his first to India in nearly seven years, with his last trip being an informal summit with Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Mamallapuram in 2019. His arrival, widely reported by international and Indian media, was met with a red carpet welcome, including traditional Indian dances. The 18th BRICS Summit, hosted by India, is scheduled for September 12-13 at Bharat Mandapam in Pragati Maidan, New Delhi. India holds the chairmanship of BRICS for 2026, its fourth time in this role. The summit brings together leaders from the expanded BRICS bloc, which now includes Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, Indonesia, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates. President Xi is scheduled to hold a closely watched bilateral meeting with Prime Minister Modi on the sidelines of the summit on Saturday evening. This meeting is particularly significant as both nations seek to cautiously rebuild ties that were severely strained following a deadly military clash on their disputed Himalayan border in the Galwan Valley in 2020, which resulted in casualties on both sides. The discussions are expected to focus on strengthening bilateral relations, promoting business linkages, increasing mobility, and addressing outstanding issues, with India emphasizing mutual respect, sensitivity, and interest. China's foreign ministry has expressed willingness to work with India to manage differences and foster good neighborly relations. Other prominent leaders attending the summit include Russian President Vladimir Putin, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, and South African President Cyril Ramaphosa. The summit agenda is broad, encompassing global economic cooperation, development, international security, and major geopolitical issues. The discussions are set against a backdrop of complex geopolitical tensions, including the ongoing Middle East conflict and the Russia-Ukraine war, which have impacted global energy, trade, and transport. Analysts view Xi's presence as a clear indication of improving relations between Beijing and New Delhi. His delegation includes key officials such as Cai Qi, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, and Foreign Minister Wang Yi. The visit has also seen some local reactions, with the Tibetan community in Delhi organizing protests ahead of President Xi's arrival on Friday, September 11, 2026. Despite lingering concerns over aggressive Chinese military posturing in certain border areas, both countries have implemented confidence-building measures over the past year to repair frayed ties. The summit and the bilateral talks are crucial for fostering greater stability in a multipolar world and for the economic and political dynamics of the Global South. This high-stakes diplomatic engagement is expected to have significant implications for India-China relations and for the future direction of BRICS cooperation amidst a volatile global situation. The fact that this marks the first physical meeting between Modi and Xi in India since the Galwan clash underscores the importance of this summit for both nations to discuss their complex relationship and explore avenues for mutual interest.

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