Archive · 12 Sep 2026
Xi Jinping Visits India as BRICS Summit Faces War
Chinese President Xi Jinping is visiting India for a meeting of BRICS countries.
The meeting includes leaders and officials from countries such as India, Russia and Iran.
They will discuss wars, trade and energy supplies.
Xi will also meet Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
China and India have disagreed for years about their Himalayan border.
Their relationship worsened after a deadly clash in 2020, but some travel and official contacts have resumed.
People in India who oppose China protested Xi's visit.
Different BRICS members have different views about the Middle East conflict, making agreement difficult.
Chinese President Xi Jinping is visiting New Delhi for a two-day BRICS summit focused on wars, trade and energy security.
Xi is expected to hold talks with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, marking his first India visit since 2019.
The visit follows a deadly 2020 military clash and comes as China and India retain heavy deployments along their disputed border.
Leaders are expected to discuss conflicts in the Middle East and Ukraine, global trade turbulence and energy security.
BRICS faces internal divisions, with foreign ministers failing to agree on a joint statement in New Delhi in May.
- Who
- Chinese President Xi Jinping, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and representatives of the 11 BRICS countries, including Russia and Iran.
- What
- A two-day BRICS summit, alongside a closely watched Xi-Modi meeting.
- When
- Xi is due to arrive on Saturday; the summit is scheduled to last two days.
- Where
- New Delhi, India.
- Why
- The summit will address wars in the Middle East and Ukraine, trade turbulence and energy security, while India and China seek to manage their strained relationship.
Case for Engagement
Case for Caution
China-India relations
Case for Engagement
Beijing says it is ready to strengthen communication, enhance cooperation and properly handle differences; restored flights, visas and high-level contacts suggest a cautious thaw.
Case for Caution
The territorial dispute remains unresolved, mistrust persists, and both countries maintain heavy military deployments along the border.
BRICS expansion
Case for Engagement
The expanded grouping brings more emerging economies and countries seeking greater influence in institutions dominated by Western powers.
Case for Caution
The members' sharply differing positions on the Middle East war may make the expansion a constraint and deepen internal divisions.
India's strategic balancing
Case for Engagement
India is maintaining relations with Russia and Iran while engaging with China and other BRICS members to address energy and security concerns.
Case for Caution
India's ties with Russia, Iran, Israel and Washington require a delicate balance amid the Ukraine war, the Middle East conflict and pressure from Western capitals.
- Summit format
- A two-day meeting of the 11-nation BRICS grouping.
- Main topics
- Middle East and Ukraine conflicts, global trade turbulence and energy security.
- Xi's visit
- His first visit to India since 2019.
- China-India border
- The disputed frontier stretches roughly 3,500 kilometres along Tibet, with heavy military deployments on both sides.
- Recent diplomatic strain
- A deadly military clash occurred along the disputed border in 2020.
- BRICS disagreement
- BRICS foreign ministers failed to agree on a joint statement in New Delhi in May.
- Additional attendees
- The reported participants include leaders or officials from Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Egypt.