Archive · 13 Sep 2026
Xi Modi BRICS Meeting Signals Cautious India-China Relationship Repair
Xi Jinping of China visited India and met Narendra Modi during a BRICS meeting.
This was the first such visit in seven years.
Former diplomat Gautam Bambawale said the meeting looked important because it showed the countries are talking again.
Modi said peace along the border is necessary for better relations.
The two leaders may have given private instructions to their officials.
Those officials could hold more talks in the coming weeks and months.
Bambawale said relations have improved somewhat but are still not as good as they were in 2019.
He also said India wants to cooperate with both China and the United States without choosing one side.
Chinese President Xi Jinping visited India after seven years and met Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the BRICS summit.
Former envoy Gautam Bambawale called the meeting’s optics important and said it could guide future official and ministerial discussions.
Modi said peace and tranquillity in border areas are essential to India-China relations.
Bambawale said ties are being repaired but remain below their 2019 level after tensions over eastern Ladakh and Galwan.
He said India can work with both the United States and China while strengthening its own economic, military, and technological capabilities.
- Who
- Chinese President Xi Jinping, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and former envoy Gautam Bambawale.
- What
- Xi Jinping and Narendra Modi held a bilateral meeting on the sidelines of the BRICS summit, with discussion focused on improving India-China ties.
- When
- The meeting took place after Xi’s seven-year absence from India; Bambawale discussed it on Saturday.
- Where
- The bilateral meeting took place in India on the sidelines of the BRICS summit; the article refers to Xi being in New Delhi.
- Why
- The meeting was intended to support discussions on border peace and a fair, reasonable, and mutually acceptable boundary resolution, while helping repair bilateral relations.
Signs of Improvement
Cautious Assessment
Meaning of the meeting
Signs of Improvement
Bambawale said Xi’s visit after seven years and the bilateral meeting were very important optics and showed that relations are improving.
Cautious Assessment
Bambawale cautioned that the meeting was only a couple of steps forward and that substantial ground remains to be covered.
Expected results
Signs of Improvement
The meeting could guide officials and ministers toward further discussions and eventual outcomes in the India-China relationship.
Cautious Assessment
There may be no immediate major takeaways, and the relationship remains below its 2019 level.
India’s strategic position
Signs of Improvement
India has several strategic cards to play as both China and the United States seek closer alignment with it.
Cautious Assessment
India should not take sides and should instead work with both powers while strengthening its economic, military, and technological capabilities.
- Participants
- Xi Jinping and Narendra Modi
- Setting
- Bilateral meeting on the sidelines of the BRICS summit
- Gap since previous visit
- Seven years
- Border focus
- Peace and tranquillity in border areas
- Relationship status
- Being repaired, according to Gautam Bambawale
- Earlier low point
- Chinese military moves in eastern Ladakh and the Galwan episode
- Strategic approach
- India will work with both China and the United States while building its own capabilities