1 week ago
Xi Jinping’s BRICS Attendance Keeps India and China Guessing
Xi Jinping is the leader of China.
India is preparing to host an important BRICS meeting in New Delhi on September 12 and 13.
China has not yet said whether Xi will come.
One report says he may attend with a large group of officials.
China became upset after India standardised names for 27 places in Arunachal Pradesh.
Some experts think China is waiting for India to make more helpful moves before confirming Xi’s visit.
Others think Xi could stay away to send India a stronger message.
His decision may show how well BRICS can handle disagreements between India and China.
China has not officially confirmed whether Xi Jinping will attend the 2025 BRICS summit in New Delhi.
Reuters reported that Xi was likely to attend with a large delegation, potentially making his first India visit in seven years.
Chinese commentators reacted strongly after India standardised 27 names for places in Arunachal Pradesh.
Analysts say Beijing may be using attendance uncertainty to seek concessions on investment, visas, connectivity, Tibet and Taiwan.
Xi’s possible absence could test whether BRICS can manage tensions between its two largest member countries.
- Who
- Chinese President Xi Jinping, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and the governments of China and India.
- What
- China has not confirmed whether Xi will attend the 18th BRICS summit.
- Where
- New Delhi, India.
- When
- The summit is scheduled for September 12-13; Reuters reported on August 24 that Xi was likely to attend.
- Why
- The uncertainty may relate to tensions over Arunachal Pradesh and China’s broader demands concerning investment, visas, connectivity, Tibet, Taiwan and India’s ties with Washington.
Xi May Attend
Xi May Stay Away
Likely summit attendance
Xi May Attend
Reuters reported that Xi was likely to attend with a large delegation, and a second consecutive absence could be difficult for China given BRICS’s importance to Xi’s global strategy.
Xi May Stay Away
China has not issued an official confirmation, and Beijing could use a nonattendance decision to signal displeasure over India’s Arunachal Pradesh move.
Purpose of the uncertainty
Xi May Attend
The delay may be tactical, giving India time to offer further relaxation of restrictions on Chinese investment, business, visas and direct connectivity.
Xi May Stay Away
The uncertainty may indicate that China wants to warn India against political posturing and against using improved relations tactically while strengthening military alignment with Washington.
State of bilateral relations
Xi May Attend
Relations have shown signs of improvement since Modi and Xi met on the sidelines of the 2024 BRICS summit in Kazan, Russia.
Xi May Stay Away
The boundary dispute remains unresolved, and Chinese commentary has portrayed India’s naming decision as evidence that New Delhi’s position remains entrenched.
Key facts
- Summit
- The 18th BRICS summit
- Host city
- New Delhi, India
- Scheduled dates
- September 12-13
- Expected delegation
- Reuters reported that Xi was likely to attend with a large delegation.
- India-China dispute
- India standardised 27 names for places in Arunachal Pradesh, prompting strong reactions from Chinese commentators.
- Xi’s recent summit absences
- Xi skipped the 2025 BRICS summit in Rio de Janeiro and the 2023 G20 summit in New Delhi.
- Last India visit
- Xi has not visited India since the 2019 Chennai summit.
Quotes
Foreign affairs blogger
A widely read Chinese foreign affairs blogger commenting on India’s Arunachal Pradesh move.
“By attacking China on the eve of the upcoming BRICS meet, does Modi think by acting first, he has the upper hand?”
indianexpress.com
“The history of the China-India boundary itself calls for caution rather than political posturing.”
indianexpress.com
Derek Grossman
An analyst writing for the China Global South Project.
“Perhaps Beijing wants to see New Delhi move in a favourable direction on a range of issues, including a further relaxation of Indian restrictions on Chinese investment and business, visas and direct connectivity, and Tibetan and Taiwan issues”
indianexpress.com
Sources
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