Archive · 10 Sep 2026
Xi Jinping’s India Visit Puts Border, Trade Ties Under Spotlight
Xi Jinping, China’s president, is visiting India for a BRICS meeting.
This will be his first visit to India in seven years.
He is expected to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
The leaders may talk about their disputed border and ways to reduce military tensions.
They may also discuss trade, investments, technology and business travel.
India wants stronger economic links but does not want to become too dependent on China for important goods.
China wants to know how seriously India wants to improve relations.
The two countries have made some progress since a deadly 2020 border clash, but they still do not fully trust each other.
The BRICS summit also gives them a chance to discuss global issues with other countries.
Chinese President Xi Jinping will visit New Delhi on September 12 and 13 for the 18th BRICS Leaders’ Summit.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Xi Jinping are expected to discuss the border situation, security, trade, investment and technology.
India and China have reduced some tensions since the 2020 Line of Actual Control crisis, but substantial distrust remains.
India has eased some restrictions on Chinese investment, while security concerns and supply-chain disruptions continue.
The BRICS agenda includes global growth, sustainability, food and energy security, health, disaster resilience and critical supply chains.
- Who
- Chinese President Xi Jinping and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi are expected to meet.
- What
- They are expected to discuss India-China border tensions, security, trade, investment, technology and broader relations during the BRICS summit.
- When
- Xi Jinping is scheduled to visit on September 12 and 13; the articles do not specify the year.
- Where
- New Delhi, India, during the 18th BRICS Leaders’ Summit.
- Why
- The meeting could assess whether recent reductions in tensions can develop into a broader improvement in India-China relations.
Cautious Engagement
Deeper Rapprochement
How quickly to improve relations
Cautious Engagement
India is expected to seek progress while protecting strategic and national security interests, reflecting continuing concerns about the border and Chinese investment.
Deeper Rapprochement
China wants better relations and is watching how far India is willing to go in improving ties.
Economic cooperation
Cautious Engagement
India may support additional trade and investment but wants to reduce excessive dependence on China in sensitive sectors and address technology and supply-chain risks.
Deeper Rapprochement
Greater economic engagement could help restore business ties, with Chinese companies remaining important suppliers of components, machinery and technology to Indian industries.
Trust and security
Cautious Engagement
India continues to face a significant trust deficit after the 2020 border crisis and is likely to keep border and security issues central.
Deeper Rapprochement
China has participated in steps to reduce tensions and may seek to build on the recent diplomatic thaw.
- Visit
- Xi Jinping is scheduled to visit New Delhi on September 12 and 13.
- Summit
- India is hosting the 18th BRICS Leaders’ Summit.
- Main bilateral issues
- Border security, trade, investment, technology, supply chains and business ties.
- Border context
- India and China have worked to reduce tensions along the Line of Actual Control since the 2020 crisis.
- Economic measures
- India has eased some restrictions on Chinese investment in electronics, capital goods and solar cells.
- Business connection
- India approved a manufacturing partnership between Dixon Technologies and Vivo.
- Wider BRICS agenda
- Multilateralism, inclusive growth, resilience, innovation, sustainability, food and energy security, health and disaster resilience.