Chinese President Xi Jinping is likely to travel to New Delhi next month to attend the BRICS Summit, in what could become a significant moment in India-China relations. According to sources cited by Reuters, Xi is expected to attend the September 12–13 summit with a large Chinese delegation, although his participation has not yet been officially confirmed.
If confirmed, the visit would be Xi’s first trip to India in seven years and comes at a time when both countries are cautiously attempting to stabilise ties after the deadly 2020 border clashes. The Chinese leader’s presence is therefore expected to attract attention beyond the BRICS agenda, particularly regarding the future of bilateral relations.
The diplomatic groundwork is already underway. National Security Adviser Ajit Doval is in Beijing for the 25th round of Special Representatives talks with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, with the boundary question and broader bilateral concerns high on the agenda.
For New Delhi, Xi’s possible visit could provide an important opportunity for dialogue, while also testing whether recent efforts to ease tensions can translate into meaningful progress. The BRICS summit may consequently emerge as a key stage for both multilateral cooperation and India-China diplomacy.
