Archive · 12 Sep 2026
Xi and Putin’s India BRICS Visit Tests New Delhi’s Balance
India is hosting a large meeting called the BRICS Summit.
China’s leader Xi Jinping and Russia’s leader Vladimir Putin are both attending in New Delhi.
Xi’s visit is important because India and China have had serious border tensions.
Their relationship has recently become calmer, but important disagreements remain.
Putin is visiting while India faces pressure from the United States over its purchases of Russian oil.
India says it wants to make its own decisions and maintain relationships with many powerful countries.
Leaders may discuss trade, energy, food security and international conflicts.
The meeting is unlikely to solve every disagreement, but it shows that India can bring competing countries together.
Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin are in New Delhi for the 18th BRICS Summit on September 12–13.
Xi’s visit is his first to India since 2019 and follows years of tensions after the 2020 Galwan Valley clash.
India-China ties have gradually thawed through border disengagement, renewed travel links and senior-level diplomatic meetings.
Putin’s talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi are expected to address trade, energy, defence and the countries’ strategic partnership.
The summit is expected to highlight India’s effort to engage China, Russia, the United States and other powers without choosing a single bloc.
- Who
- Chinese President Xi Jinping, Russian President Vladimir Putin, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and leaders of other BRICS countries.
- What
- The 18th BRICS Summit, including expected India-China and India-Russia discussions.
- When
- The summit is scheduled for September 12–13, with Putin arriving on September 11 for a three-day visit.
- Where
- Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi, India.
- Why
- The summit will address cooperation on trade, energy, food security and global institutions while showcasing India’s ability to engage rival powers.
Potential Diplomatic Gains
Continuing Constraints
India-China relations
Potential Diplomatic Gains
Xi’s return and an expected meeting with Modi could reinforce the recent shift from confrontation toward dialogue and more stable coexistence.
Continuing Constraints
Border trust remains fragile, trade imbalances persist and China’s relationship with Pakistan continues to concern India.
India-Russia ties
Potential Diplomatic Gains
Putin’s visit allows India to reaffirm its energy, defence and strategic partnership with Russia as part of its policy of strategic autonomy.
Continuing Constraints
India remains vulnerable to pressure from the United States over Russian oil purchases, including possible future sanctions and tariffs.
Summit expectations
Potential Diplomatic Gains
Hosting Xi, Putin and other leaders could strengthen India’s image as a convening power able to engage rival blocs.
Continuing Constraints
The summit is unlikely to produce a full resolution of India-China border tensions or a dramatic reset in India-Russia-United States relations.
- Summit
- 18th BRICS Summit
- Host
- India, under its BRICS chairship
- Dates
- September 12–13
- Xi’s last India visit
- October 2019
- Recent India-China development
- Troop disengagement at the last standoff points was completed in 2024
- Putin’s visit
- A three-day visit beginning September 11
- Expected discussion areas
- Trade, energy, defence, food security and reform of global financial institutions