Xi Jinping to visit India for BRICS summit, first trip in seven years

Sep 10, 2026

Chinese President Xi Jinping arrived in New Delhi on September 12, 2026, for the 18th BRICS Summit, marking his first trip to India in seven years. The visit signals a cautious thaw in bilateral relations following the deadly 2020 border clashes. Xi is scheduled to hold a bilateral meeting with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. However, deep strategic rivalries, unresolved Himalayan border disputes, and a massive trade deficit continue to strain relations as both nations vie for leadership of the Global South.

Xi Jinping India visit

▪The September 2026 visit to New Delhi marks Chinese President Xi Jinping's first trip to India in seven years, with his last visit occurring in 2019
▪Chinese President Xi Jinping arrived in New Delhi on September 12, 2026, to attend the 18th BRICS Leaders' Summit
▪Chinese President Xi Jinping traveled to the 18th BRICS Summit accompanied by a large delegation of approximately 400 government officials and business leaders

China-India bilateral relations

▪India and China are attempting to stabilize economic ties, with India selectively easing restrictions on Chinese investments in sectors like electronics and power equipment
▪India continues to maintain strict security scrutiny on Chinese companies, including rejecting an Alipay integration proposal and recommending an investigation into Xiaomi's India operations
▪Chinese President Xi Jinping and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi scheduled a bilateral meeting on the sidelines of the 18th BRICS Summit in New Delhi

BRICS summit agenda

▪The BRICS grouping currently comprises 11 member countries and 10 partner countries, including newly added partners such as Vietnam, Malaysia, and Belarus
▪The 18th BRICS Summit in New Delhi is held under the theme 'Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability' from September 12 to 13, 2026
▪The 18th BRICS Summit agenda is expected to be dominated by global conflicts, including the wars in the Middle East and Ukraine, alongside trade turbulence and energy security

Global South leadership competition

▪China views the BRICS grouping as a vehicle to challenge American power, while India seeks to maintain a broad, multi-polar alignment to avoid choosing sides
▪India has positioned itself as a leader of the Global South by hosting forums like the Voice of the Global South, from which it excluded China
▪China's gross domestic product per capita is more than five times greater than India's, giving Beijing a significant economic advantage in competing for Global South leadership

Border disputes resolution efforts

▪India and China held two rounds of Corps Commander-level talks in the Eastern Sector in early September 2026 amid continuing tensions in Arunachal Pradesh's Taksing region
▪India and China reached an agreement in October 2024 on patrolling arrangements in eastern Ladakh, leading to disengagement at friction points like Depsang Plains and Chushul
▪Despite diplomatic thaws, both India and China continue to maintain substantial military deployments along their disputed 3,500-kilometer high-altitude border